Sporting briefs
Iturbe: Bournemouth striker Juan Iturbe was named yesterday in Paraguay’s squad for this month’s 2018 World Cup qualifiers after giving up hope of playing for the country of his birth, Argentina. Iturbe grew up in Paraguay, but had previously turned down overtures to play for his parents’ country because he harboured hopes of playing for Argentina. Yet the 22-year-old striker did not manage to progress beyond the Argentina U-20 team.
Marcelinho: Bulgaria coach Ivaylo Petev has named Brazil-born midfielder Marcelinho in his squad for the first time for this month’s friendlies at Portugal and Macedonia. The 31-year-old, who was instrumental in helping Ludogorets win four successive domestic league titles and two national cups since joining them from Brazilian side Bragantino in 2011, obtained a Bulgarian passport in 2013.
Racist chants: The Dutch football association has fined Eredivisie side ADO Den Haag over incidents of racist chanting from its fans. Sections of the Den Haag home support were alleged to have made racist chants during the game against Ajax on January 17. Ajax’s 19-year-old midfielder Riechedly Bazoer said after the game he had been subject to some of the abuse...