Netherlands
Dutch international Bruno Martins Indi is set to sign for Portuguese giants Porto from Feyenoord for €8.5 million (Dh42.6m) according to Dutch media reports. Martins Indi, 22, who was born in Portugal shortly before his parents moved to the Netherlands, is in Brazil with the World Cup squad where they are preparing for Sunday's last-16 game with Mexico. Martins Indi will not start the game, according to manager Louis van Gaal, as he suffered mild concussion at the end of the first half of the 3-2 victory against Australia in their group game 11 days ago.
Belgium
Belgium midfielder Steven Defour could face an extended ban at the World Cup after his red card against South Korea resulted in an automatic one-match suspension, Fifa said yesterday. The governing body said its Disciplinary Committee had "opened proceedings" looking into Defour's two-footed, studs-up challenge on Kim Shin-wook in the 45th minute of Thursday's final Group H game, which could result in more than a one-game suspension. Belgium face the United States in the second round in Salvador on Tuesday.
Nigeria
Nigeria are the latest African country to be embroiled in a money row, but it has been swiftly nipped in the bud with promises of quick payment from the country's president, team officials said. Nigeria president Goodluck Jonathan spoke to several senior players by telephone on Friday and assured them their bonus money would be paid after they had threatened not to train. Players met with officials on Thursday seeking immediate payment of the bonuses they were promised if they reached the second round, which they achieved on Wednesday despite a 3-2 defeat to Argentina in Porto Alegre. They play France tomorrow in Brasilia in the round of 16.
Africa
The presidents of Cameroon and Ghana have ordered official inquiries into the strife-riven performances of their respective teams at the World Cup, where their campaigns were overshadowed by controversy over money and discipline. Cameroon's Paul Biya has asked his government to submit a report within one month into "the causes of the inglorious campaign of our Indomitable Lions at the 2014 World Cup football". Ghana's president John Mahama said he wanted a commission of inquiry to get to the bottom of his country's early exit. Ghana's sports minister and his deputy have already been reassigned to other ministerial duties since the team's exit. Both countries' squads were embroiled in unseemly strikes over money.
France
Midfielder Yohan Cabaye returns to the France line-up with a strong message for his teammates – do not be overconfident. Cabaye will face Nigeria in Monday's last-16 game as France aim to reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time since 2006, the year they lost the final to Italy. Cabaye was suspended for Wednesday's 0-0 draw with Ecuador and his crisp passing was sorely missed. Since that game, defender Bacary Sagna and midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin – Cabaye's replacement against Ecuador – have confidently promoted France's chances. Sagna said on Friday that it would be "a failure" not to win the tournament. Cabaye warned against bold predictions and said "confidence shouldn't become arrogance" and added that "to say we're going to win the World Cup is a lot".
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