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MercoPress, en Español

Montevideo, December 19th 2025 - 11:30 UTC

Entertainment

  • Saturday, June 30th 2018 - 15:12 UTC

    FIFA confirms success of the Video Assistant Referee system

    A total of 335 incidents have been checked in the 48 group stage games completed over the last 15 days, reported Pierluigi Collina

    FIFA says stats from 48 games point to success of the Video Assistant Referee system debuting at the World Cup. At a briefing in Moscow on Friday, FIFA Referees' Committee chairman Pierluigi Collina underscored the importance of VAR in guiding refereeing decisions at the Russia World Cup; it’s the first time the technology has been used at the quadrennial tournament.

  • Wednesday, June 27th 2018 - 09:06 UTC

    A gallant Nigeria almost KO Maradona in St Petersburg

    Maradona struggled to walk as he was aided by one man in black and followed by two others as he was led inside a luxury box

    Argentine soccer legend Diego Maradona may have gotten a little too excited during a FIFA World Cup match on Tuesday. The 57-year-old collapsed after his home country won 2 to 1 against Nigeria in St. Petersburg, Russia, according to a video posted by the Spanish-language newspaper La Nación.

  • Wednesday, June 27th 2018 - 08:20 UTC

    Iran's coach strongly questions the Video Assistant Referee at the Russia World Cup

    Queiroz and his squad have been at the “mercy” of VAR during this Cup including having a goal scored by Iran disallowed in stoppage time against Spain last week

    The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) used in the Russia World Cup has been praised by many, but also strongly criticized by some. One of those who does not see the benefit of VAR is Iran’s coach, Carlos Queiroz. The Portuguese-born manager says the new system has not only created confusion but also, according to him, taken the game away from the fans.

  • Friday, June 22nd 2018 - 09:13 UTC

    Sampaoli takes the blame for the crushing defeat to superb Croatia

    “It's been a long time as a coach since I've been through this experience and it's much more painful when I'm wearing the jersey of my country”

    Argentina coach Jorge Sampaoli has promised the team will give everything they have to try and qualify for the World Cup's round of 16 after their hopes of progression suffered the hammer blow of a 3-0 loss to Croatia.

  • Wednesday, June 20th 2018 - 22:50 UTC

    Internet Blackout against student cheating in Algeria

    Internet services were cut “in compliance with instructions from the government, aimed at ensuring the high school diploma tests run smoothly.”

    Algerian authorities shot down the internet access for two hours on Wednesday, coinciding with the start of high school diploma exams, the first in a series of internet blackouts to stop students cheating, AFP journalists in Algiers reports.

  • Tuesday, June 19th 2018 - 09:08 UTC

    Volgograd invaded by flies and mosquitoes from nearby Volga river

    Players from England and Tunisia had to use mosquito repellent before taking to the pitch at the Volgograd Arena

    A plague of small flying insects have caused chaos for fans, locals and the media in the city of Volgograd where England and Tunisia played on Monday.

  • Tuesday, June 19th 2018 - 09:04 UTC

    Maradona comes out in support of Messi and his missed penalty

    I feel responsible for not having been able to take the three points, admitted a distressed Messi.

    Argentina’s Diego Maradona has come out to defend Lionel Messi after the Barcelona attacker missed a penalty in his team’s draw against Iceland on Saturday. Speaking to Telesur, the 1986 World Champion said: ”I missed five penalties in a row and I was still Diego Armando Maradona.

  • Tuesday, June 19th 2018 - 09:02 UTC

    Germany slammed by media; the team trained behind closed doors

    The Germany camp is set to resume normal business on Tuesday before Joachim Low's side flies out to Sochi for Saturday's group match against Sweden.

    Germany cancelled all media activities on Monday following their 1-0 defeat to Mexico in their 2018 World Cup opener on Sunday. The team trained behind closed doors while a news conference with former captain Philipp Lahm on Germany's bid for the 2024 European Championships was cancelled.

  • Saturday, June 16th 2018 - 10:09 UTC

    Despite a last minute Spanish fiscal surprise, Ronaldo scored a hat trick

    The Real Madrid and Portugal footballer, 33, was accused last year of defrauding tax authorities of €14.8m, charges he denies.

    Footballer Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly agreed to accept a €18.8m fine and a suspended jail term to settle tax evasion charges. The Real Madrid and Portugal footballer, 33, was accused last year of defrauding tax authorities of €14.8m, charges he denies.

  • Thursday, June 14th 2018 - 07:01 UTC

    Turmoil in the Spanish national team: coach fired

    “We have been forced to dispense of the national coach,” Rubiales said. “You can't do things this way, two or three days before the World Cup”

    The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) sacked head coach Julen Lopetegui two days before Spain’s opening match in the World Cup against Portugal. One day earlier Lopetegui agreed to succeed Zinedine Zidane as the new Real Madrid boss after the World Cup. This decision was made without the knowledge of RFEF.