Agencies/Santiago, Chile

“I’ve been asked if I’ve decided to quit the national side and the answer is yes,” said Valdivia. “Thank you for everything and sorry for the mistakes I’ve made. From today I’m on the same side as you, as a fan, with all my best wishes for my team-mates and for Chile,”  he added.

Valdivia, who has 60 caps for the national side, only played a pool match at the World Cup in Brazil scoring one goal in a 3-1 win over Australia.

A Palmeiras player since 2006, he spent two seasons with Al Ain from 2008-2010, and will return to the United Arab Emirates to play with Dibba Al Fujairah next season. Valdivia leaves the national side less than a year before the Copa America, which will be played in Chile.

FIFA lifts Nigeria suspension  from international competition

Football governing body FIFA yesterday lifted the suspension of Nigeria from international competition over “government interference” in the game.

The suspension of the Nigerian Football Federation was imposed on July 9 just after the national team were beaten in the last 16 at the World Cup.

“FIFA has noted that the court proceedings and order preventing the president of the NFF, the NFF executive committee members and the NFF Congress from running the affairs of Nigerian football that prompted the suspension have been withdrawn,” said a statement by the world body.

“As statutory order has been reinstated at the NFF and the legitimate bodies reinstalled, FIFA has decided to lift the suspension as of today, Friday 18 July 2014.”

The new order means that Nigeria can again take part in international competitions. FIFA’s suspension came after a Nigerian court sacked the NFF leadership and appointed a sole administrator for the federation.

Spartak Moscow sign Russia captain Shirokov

Russia team captain Roman Shirokov has joined Spartak Moscow as a free agent, club owner Leonid Fedun said yesterday.

The 33-year-old midfielder, who missed the World Cup finals in Brazil due to injury, has moved to the capital from St Petersburg where he had spent six years playing for Zenit. Shirokov, who helped Zenit win the Russian Premier League twice and the UEFA Cup in 2008, has signed a two-year deal with the option to extend his contract for a third season. “Even five years ago I wanted to sign Shirokov, however, at that time we didn’t get a chance,” said Fedun, speaking to ITAR-TASS news agency.

“I’m happy now it happened. Before signing, the player flew to Switzerland and talked to head coach Murat Yakin. I hope Roman will quickly recover from his injury and help the team in a short time.”

Russian Footballer of the Year in 2012 and 2013, he also won the Russian Cup, Russian Super Cup and UEFA Super Cup with Zenit, playing 201 matches and scoring 43 goals for the club.

Shirokov, who has 41 Russia caps and 12 international goals, is expected to be fit again in October after suffering an Achilles injury.

Besiktas buy Ba from Chelsea for 6 mn euro

Turkish top flight side Besiktas on Friday confirmed they had acquired Senegalese international striker Demba Ba from Chelsea for six million euros ($8.1 million) on a four year deal.

Ba, 29, turned out for his first training session with Besiktas, who are currently on a pre-season training camp in England, the club said in a statement.

Besiktas said that six million euros transfer fee would be paid in five instalments up to mid-2016. Meanwhile, the player will receive a 2.5 million euro ($3.4 million) wage each year for the four years of his contract.

Ba, a practising Muslim, said he was happy to be playing in an Islamic country and also excited by the prospect of working under the Croatian coach Slaven Bilic. 

Besiktas will be looking in the coming season to improve on last year’s third place behind Istanbul rivals Fenerbahce and Galatasaray. The team also has a place in the qualifying rounds of the Champions League where they face a tough tie against Feyenoord of the Netherlands.