Venezuela sack coach after World Cup hopes end | Sports

CARACAS, Sept 11, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Venezuela sacked coach Fernando Batista onWednesday night, a day after their World Cup qualification dream died andafter an intervention by the country's president. News of Argentine Batista's sacking, alongside his entire backroom staff,came after President Nicolas Maduro had called for a "restructuring of thetechnical staff". That was 24 hours after Venezuela, known as the Vinotinto, were thumped 6-3at home by neighbours Colombia, ending their hopes of reaching a World Cupfor the first time. "Yesterday we suffered a painful defeat," said Maduro. "All of Venezuela demands a restructuring of the technical staff of theVinotinto, a reorganisation of the strategy, of the doctrine and of the lineof combat and hard work." The decision by the sport's...