Puerto Rican political advisor apologizes for 'racist' Obama tweet

RECIFE (Reuters) - Italy midfielder Daniele De Rossi picked out Japan's Shinji Kagawa as the dangerman for his side ahead of their Confederations Cup match on Wednesday. "I only know three or four Japanese players and the most talked about is the one that plays for Manchester United, Kagawa, he is the star," De Rossi told reporters on Tuesday. "I think they are well organised and I think that means they will be dangerous." The Italians made a winning start on Sunday when goals from Andrea Pirlo …

By Andrew Downie RECIFE, Brazil (Reuters) - A wave of protests across Brazil have alarmed soccer organisers concerned that the unrest could affect the current Confederations Cup and even jeopardise next year's World Cup. At least 200,000 people took to the streets of more than half a dozen Brazilian cities on Monday night in the biggest demonstrations in the country for 20 years. The protests were originally sparked by a hike in bus fares but they expanded to embrace broader issues. ... …

MADRID (Reuters) - Barcelona defender Carles Puyol is to have surgery on his right knee to remove a cyst which will keep him sidelined for three to four weeks, the Spanish champions said in a statement on Tuesday. The 35-year-old Spain international, who will undergo the procedure on Wednesday, has suffered a string of injuries over the last year, including two operations on the same knee, a fractured cheekbone and a dislocated elbow. ... …

RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - FIFA president Sepp Blatter's chances of remaining in office after 2015 have increased dramatically after FIFA secretary-general Jerome Valcke urged him to stay in the job. Valcke was asked if he would be standing as FIFA president and after laughing off that suggestion by saying he had a World Cup to organise, he said Blatter should change his mind about stepping down. "Why change a winning team, a good team?," Valcke told a news conference. ... …