FIFA Bans 4 Uruguay Players over World Cup Incidents

[1/2] Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Group H - Ghana v Uruguay - Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah, Qatar - December 2, 2022 Uruguay's Giorgian de Arrascaeta look dejected after the match as Uruguay are eliminated from the World Cup REUTERS/Bernadett Szabo
[1/2] Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Group H - Ghana v Uruguay - Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah, Qatar - December 2, 2022 Uruguay's Giorgian de Arrascaeta look dejected after the match as Uruguay are eliminated from the World Cup REUTERS/Bernadett Szabo
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FIFA Bans 4 Uruguay Players over World Cup Incidents

[1/2] Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Group H - Ghana v Uruguay - Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah, Qatar - December 2, 2022 Uruguay's Giorgian de Arrascaeta look dejected after the match as Uruguay are eliminated from the World Cup REUTERS/Bernadett Szabo
[1/2] Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Group H - Ghana v Uruguay - Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah, Qatar - December 2, 2022 Uruguay's Giorgian de Arrascaeta look dejected after the match as Uruguay are eliminated from the World Cup REUTERS/Bernadett Szabo

Four Uruguay players, including Diego Godin and Edinson Cavani, have been suspended over incidents following the team's World Cup match against Ghana, FIFA announced on Friday.

The Uruguayan football federation has also been fined 50,000 Swiss francs ($54,248) and handed a partial stadium closure for their next home match over the "discriminatory behavior of its supporters" and the "misconduct" of the players.

Uruguay were incensed by refereeing decisions during their 2-0 win over Ghana in their final group game in Qatar last December.

A three-goal win would have seen them qualify for the last 16 but they were knocked out in dramatic fashion.

Referee Daniel Siebert was hounded by players after the match, while Cavani punched the pitchside VAR monitor.

Defender Jose Maria Gimenez and goalkeeper Fernando Muslera have both been banned for four matches, fined 20,000 Swiss francs and given "community football service".

Veterans Cavani and Godin were given one-match bans each, will have to perform the community service and were fined 15,000 Swiss francs.



Guardiola Says It’s His Responsibility to Get City Firing Again

 Manchester City's head coach Pep Guardiola watches the play during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Tottenham at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP)
Manchester City's head coach Pep Guardiola watches the play during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Tottenham at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP)
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Guardiola Says It’s His Responsibility to Get City Firing Again

 Manchester City's head coach Pep Guardiola watches the play during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Tottenham at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP)
Manchester City's head coach Pep Guardiola watches the play during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Tottenham at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP)

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said it is his responsibility to get their season back on track after they suffered a fifth successive defeat on Saturday and that the current squad is strong enough to turn things around.

City's 4-0 Premier League defeat to Tottenham Hotspur at Etihad Stadium marked the first time in Guardiola's career that he has lost five games in a row in all competitions.

They have been without a number of key players this season, with Ballon d'Or winner Rodri, midfielder Mateo Kovacic and defender Ruben Dias among those absent due to injury on Saturday.

"We don't expect to lose important players for many times, but it's happened. You have to find a way to deal with that ...," Guardiola told reporters.

"When we start to lose, I said to the people: 'I have to find a way - I have to. We have to find another way to win it.' It's my duty, my responsibility. Find a way to be more consistent and our game will be better, and we will win games."

Asked if City needed to be strengthened in the transfer window, Guardiola added: "I trust more than ever with these players. I think the squad, when all the squad is there, is exceptional, but the team is not ready here."

City are second on 23 points, eight adrift of leaders Liverpool who they meet at Anfield on Sunday.