Corner kicks

FIFA

Infantino role not under investigation

Soccer's world governing body FIFA said on Tuesday that "no investigation" had been opened into its president, Gianni Infantino, after sources said his role in the Confederation of African Football's presidential elections was being reviewed.

Maria Claudia Rojas, new president of the investigatory chamber of FIFA's ethics committee, "has confirmed that all files have been handed over to her and that there are no open preliminary or investigation proceedings involving the FIFA president", the organization said in a statement.

"It is in FIFA's interest that the work of the ethics committee is not disrupted by conjecture of any kind," the statement added.

Ugandan chief in ticket probe

The head of Uganda's national soccer association said on Tuesday he was under investigation by FIFA over his alleged involvement in the illegal sale of 2014 World Cup tickets.

According to a letter sent from FIFA, Moses Magogo is accused of selling the complementary tickets.

"We got the communication from FIFA on the allegations raised and my legal team is handling the matter," Magogo said.

The probe comes after Ugandan lawmaker Allan Ssweanyana - who also co-owns a local soccer club - petitioned FIFA in May, accusing Magogo of selling all 177 tickets allocated to Uganda to an agent in the United States.

US

World Cup winner DiCicco dead at 68

Tony DiCicco, who coached the US women's squad to the 1996 Olympic and 1999 Women's World Cup crowns, died on Monday night at his home in Wethersfield, Connecticut.

He was 68.No cause of death has been announced.

DiCicco was the most successful coach in US women's national team history, going 103-8-8 from 1994-1999.He played five years as a pro in the American Soccer League with the Connecticut Wildcats and Rhode Island Oceaneers.

"We mourn the loss of one of the most influential coaches in US soccer history," US Soccer president Sunil Gulati said.

"Tony's passion for the game as a coach, administrator and broadcaster was always evident and his relationships with everyone in the soccer community distinguished him as a compassionate and much loved man."

Germany

Leipzig allowed into Champions League

German side RB Leipzig and Austrian champion Salzburg, both owned by energy drink giant Red Bull, will be allowed to play in next season's Champions League, UEFA confirmed on Tuesday.

The possibility of one of the teams being booted out of Europe's elite club competition had been raised because they have the same owner.

But UEFA said its Club Financial Control Body had ruled there was no breach of regulations on the integrity of the competition in allowing them to play.

RB Leipzig, founded in 2009, qualified automatically for the group stage after finishing second behind Bayern Munich in its first season in the German top flight.

Agencies

(China Daily 06/22/2017 page24)