ZURICH — FIFA has rejected calls to move the 2018 World Cup from Russia, saying the tournament “can achieve positive change.”
Russia’s alleged involvement in shooting down a Malaysia Airlines plane over Ukraine last week prompted calls from some lawmakers in Germany to review the country’s hosting rights.
FIFA said it supports “any peaceful and democratic debate” and “deplores any form of violence.”
The governing body also said “boycotting sport events or a policy of isolation or confrontation” doesn’t work.
FIFA, which has Russian sports minister Vitaly Mutko on its executive committee, said a World Cup in the country “can be a force for good.”
FIFA President Sepp Blatter already rejected calls in March to strip Russia of the tournament after it annexed the Crimea.
FIFA fines Argentina for protest banner
ZURICH — FIFA fined and reprimanded the Argentine football association on Friday because its national team players were pictured with a political banner before a World Cup warm-up match in June.
FIFA imposed a fine of $33,000 — the second financial penalty this month for the World Cup finalists.
Several players stood behind the slogan “Las Malvinas son Argentinas” (The Falklands are Argentine) on the field at a June 7 friendly against Slovenia in Buenos Aires.
Argentina and Britain went to war in 1982 over the Falkland Islands, called the Malvinas in Spanish. The islands have been a British territory since 1833.
FIFA rules prohibit political statements at matches it controls.
At the World Cup, FIFA also ordered a $340,000 fine for failure to bring Argentina players to prematch news conferences.
Still, FIFA is set to pay the Argentine federation $25 million in World Cup prize money.
Rapids cruise over Chivas USA
COMMERCE CITY, Colorado — The Colorado Rapids beat Chivas USA 3-0 in Major League Soccer on Friday for their first victory in nearly a month.
The Rapids moved into third place in the Western Conference with 30 points, just two points behind Real Salt Lake.
Nick LaBrocca put the Rapids ahead early by curling a shot past Chivas goalkeeper Dan Kennedy in the 16th minute.
Ten minutes later, Drew Moor headed home Dillon Powers’ corner kick for a 2-0 lead, and Gabriel Torres added a third goal in the second half.
Striker Drogba rejoins Chelsea
LONDON — Didier Drogba has rejoined Chelsea two years after leaving the London club.
The 36-year-old Ivory Coast striker, who was a free agent, signed a seasonlong deal Friday with the Premier League club.
Drogba left the Blues after scoring the penalty kick in May 2012 that gave the team the Champions League title. He has since played in China and Turkey.
