Mexico name boycott rebels in squad
MEXICO CITY, Oct 1 (Reuters) - Mexico have named 11 players in a squad for a friendly against Venezuela despite their threat of a boycott over sanctions for a recent unauthorised party.
The squad of 20 named on Friday included all 11 fined 50,000 pesos ($3,900) for the party they held after a 1-0 friendly win over Colombia last month, including World Cup captain Rafael Marquez.
Forward Carlos Vela and midfielder Efrain Juarez, suspended for six months over internal national team rules they broke with the party, were not included for the Oct. 12 friendly in the northern Ciudad Juarez, plagued by drug-related violence.
The Mexican Football Federation (FMF) expressed its support on Wednesday for national team director Nestor de la Torre, whose handling of the sanctions displeased the players.
The squad, named by interim coach Efrain Flores, included a first call-up for midfielder Ivan Estrada of Santos Laguna.
Mexico will name a coach for the 2014 World Cup campaign later this year.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Guillermo Ochoa (America), Jesus Corona (Cruz Azul)
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
Defenders: Carlos Salcido, Francisco Rodriguez (both PSV Eindhoven), Hector Moreno (AZ Alkmaar), Edgar Duenas (Toluca), Jorge Torres Nilo (Tigres UANL), Leonardo Lopez (Pachuca)
Midfielders: Andres Guardado (Deportivo Coruna), Gerardo Torrado (Cruz Azul), Rafael Marquez (New York Red Bulls), Antonio Rios (Toluca), Jonny Magallon (Guadalajara), Ivan Estrada (Santos Laguna)
Forwards: Pablo Barrera (West Ham United), Elias Hernandez (Morelia), Enrique Esqueda (America), Javier Orozco (Cruz Azul), Javier Hernandez (Manchester United), Giovani Dos Santos (Tottenham Hotspur)
‘I said yes to Manchester United, even though it was tough to understand everything that Sir Alex Ferguson was saying, but Borussia Dortmund said no’: Robert Lewandowski reveals failed Old Trafford move a decade ago
‘Every time Trent Alexander-Arnold has a bad game now, questions are going to be asked about his commitment – it baffles me that Liverpool have let his contract run down’ Former Anfield star bemused by lack of resolution over full-back’s future