Sulley Muntari's 1-Match Ban for Arguing over Racial Abuse Overturned
May 5, 2017
CAGLIARI, ITALY - APRIL 30: Sulley Muntari of Pescara reacts during the Serie A match between Cagliari Calcio and Pescara Calcio at Stadio Sant'Elia on April 30, 2017 in Cagliari, Italy. (Photo by Enrico Locci/Getty Images)
The Italian football federation FIGC has overturned the one-match ban of Sulley Muntari, the Pescara midfielder who walked off the pitch in the Serie A match against Cagliari following racist taunts from fans.
Per Football Italia (via Eurosport), the original decision was widely condemned across the globe and likely led to the ban now being suspended.
Muntari was handed a booking after complaining to the official regarding persistent racist abuse. As reported by Adam Digby of the Independent, he was banned for accumulating too many yellow cards.
Per Digby, Muntari explained the decision to card him, rather than address the problem with the fans, was the reason he walked off: ''That’s where I got angry. Why did he turn on me instead of stopping the match? The fans messed up, but the referee should have done something different, not accuse me. I’m not a victim, but if you stop the matches I’m convinced that these things won’t happen any more.''
Incredibly enough, the FIGC decided to punish Muntari in the wake of the incident, but not Cagliari.
As shared by BBC Sport, Serie A faced trouble in the wake of the original decision, with players suggesting a strike:
Ghana midfielder Godfred Donsah says he is willing to go on strike to show solidarity with Sulley Muntari.
According to Football Italia, Quintero is very close to a move to Porto. Pescara club president Daniele Sebastiani told Radio Mana Sport:
"Quintero appeals to many clubs. But in pole at the moment are Porto.
"The Colombian will cost no less than €10m though."
Manchester United, Juventus and Internazionale had all been linked with the youngster in the past, and Genoa came close to signing him before Porto swooped.
Strengths
The Colombian youngster is endowed with a quality that only a smattering of footballers possess; creativity that is both unpredictable and unteachable. His fluid ball skills allow him to crack opposition defenses with a single pass or dribble.
Quintero is most comfortable in the No. 10 role—in its South American interpretation—roaming between the midfield and attacking lines, linking teammates, probing for weaknesses in the opposing team with incisive passing and making space for himself with quick footwork.
He is also in possession of a wicket left-footed shot, which is a threat from open play and set pieces.
Weaknesses
If there is one trait that makes Quintero easier for defenders to read, it is that he is very left-footed. Rather than attempting a pass or shot with his right foot, he will almost always prefer to move the ball over to his left side, which often over-complicates matters for him.
He wouldn't be a card-carrying, prodigious South American playmaker if he didn't sometimes try to do too much, opting for more spectacular plays when simpler options would serve his team better.
Where to see him in action
The kid they call "El Talentoso" is currently captaining Colombia in the U-20 World Cup in Turkey.
Quintero shined in the group stage, scoring goals against the hosts and El Salvador but will be hoping to make an even greater impression on the tournament by leading his side right through to the final stages.
The first hurdle for Colombia in the knockout stages will be Korea Republic Wednesday in the round of 16.
