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NFL’s 49ers finalize purchase of Leeds United

The owners of the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers have assumed control of the English soccer club Leeds United. Leeds United announced on Monday that the English Football League had approved the sale of the club to 49ers Enterprises, allowing for “an immediate transition of ownership.” Leeds was relegated from the Premier League to the second-tier Championship for next season. “This is an important moment for Leeds United and we are…

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July 18, 2023

Forgotten great of Spanish soccer: Late Suarez’s path from Barca to Inter

Luis Suarez had a nice line in gentle mischief, many a true word said in jest and with a little bit of edge. Delivered with the Galician accent he never lost over 60 years living within a short stroll of Milan’s San Siro, that fit somehow. An understated dignity, a kind of reserved irony, supposedly defines people from the wet northwest of Spain which faces the Atlantic, a place apart,…

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July 17, 2023

Best value transfers: Mac Allister, Kovacic, Guler and more

The transfer window across Europe’s top leagues is in full swing and already there have been some huge moves made. But while the likes of Real Madrid, Arsenal and Liverpool have spent over €100 million ($111.6m) to sign world-class players already, there have been a few bargain deals too. Here, we look at six of the best value-for-money transfers so far, as well as six players clubs could pick up…

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July 17, 2023

Maguire stripped of Manchester United captaincy

Harry Maguire said he has been removed as Manchester United captain by manager Erik ten Hag. Maguire, 30, has been out of favour at United under Ten Hag, making just 16 appearances in the Premier League last season, including just eight starts. – Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) “After discussions with the manager today he has informed me he is changing captain. He outlined his reasons to me…

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July 17, 2023

Arsenal complete Rice signing for club-record fee

Arsenal have smashed their transfer record to complete the signing of England midfielder Declan Rice from West Ham, the club announced on Saturday. The Premier League runners-up agreed a fee for Rice worth £100 million ($131m) plus £5m ($6.5m) in add-ons, sources told ESPN. The amount easily eclipses Arsenal’s previous record fee — the £72m paid to sign Nicolas Pepe from Lille in 2019. – Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga,…

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July 16, 2023

West Ham confirm Rice exit amid Arsenal move

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July 16, 2023

Ireland ‘feared for bodies’ in pre-WWC friendly

Republic of Ireland manager Vera Pauw has said her players “feared for their bodies” during a Women’s World Cup warm-up match with Colombia that was called off after 20 minutes following a series of robust challenges. The Irish Football Association confirmed midfielder Denise O’Sullivan was taken to hospital for treatment on a shin injury during the friendly at Meakin Park in Brisbane, Australia, but was found not to have suffered…

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July 16, 2023

The issues with multi-club ownership: City Football Group, Red Bull, more

Manchester City head a worldwide group of 13 partner clubs, while Red Bull own five football teams in Europe and the Americas. Last month, Chelsea acquired a majority stake in French Ligue 1 club Strasbourg to become the latest major team to move into the business of multi-club ownership. Have you heard of the Pacific Media Group, King Power International, INEOS or Eagle Football Holdings? They are also multi-club ownership…

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July 15, 2023

Ancelotti: Madrid to try new system on U.S. tour

Carlo Ancelotti has said he plans to trial a new formation during Real Madrid’s U.S. tour this month, as the coach looks to fit new arrivals like Jude Bellingham into the team ahead of the 2023-24 season. A busy summer so far has seen midfielder Bellingham, forward Joselu, playmakers Arda Guler and Brahim Díaz and full-back Fran García join Madrid, while Karim Benzema, Marco Asensio, Eden Hazard and Mariano Díaz…

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July 15, 2023

From Marta to Matlou: Starting XI of Women’s World Cup swan songs

This summer’s Women’s World Cup is going to be one for the books. Not only is it the first to be jointly hosted by multiple nations (matches will take place in both Australia and New Zealand), but it could be the first to see a team three-peat as champions. If that weren’t enough reason to heighten your anticipation, it will also likely be the final World Cup appearance for some…

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July 15, 2023

Liverpool not complacent despite shock loss – SlotApril 7, 2025
Arne Slot has insisted Liverpool were not complacent in Sunday’s 3-2 defeat to Fulham but warned they must produce “constant effort” in their final seven games to win the Premier League title. Liverpool fell to only their second league defeat of the campaign at Craven Cottage despite Alexis Mac Allister giving the visitors a 13th-minute… Read more: Liverpool not complacent despite shock loss – Slot
Fulham stun Liverpool, delay Prem title marchApril 7, 2025
Expert recap and game analysis of the Fulham vs. Liverpool English Premier League game from April 6, 2025 on ESPN.
‘No way’ Everton penalty call was right – ArtetaApril 6, 2025
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has said there is “no way” Everton should have been awarded a penalty in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Goodison Park. David Moyes’ side put another dent in Arsenal’s faltering Premier League title hopes when Iliman Ndiaye converted a second-half spot-kick to cancel out Leandro Trossard’s earlier strike on Merseyside. Referee Darren… Read more: ‘No way’ Everton penalty call was right – Arteta
Title gone for Arsenal as attention turns to Real MadridApril 6, 2025
LIVERPOOL, England — If it’s true that this year’s battle for the Premier League title has been a one-horse race for some time, then this was the day Arsenal all but surrendered their hopes of pipping Liverpool at the finishing post. With one of the world’s most famous sporting fixtures, horse racing’s Grand National, taking… Read more: Title gone for Arsenal as attention turns to Real Madrid
Spurs’ Ange: Out of love with football over VARApril 5, 2025
Ange Postecoglou has said he is “falling out of love with football” after admitting he made a mistake in celebrating Pape Matar Sarr’s disallowed goal against Tottenham, but not because he risked a fan backlash. Spurs lost 1-0 at Chelsea on Thursday but Sarr had a second-half strike ruled out by VAR. Postecoglou’s decision to… Read more: Spurs’ Ange: Out of love with football over VAR
Fenerbahce: Mourinho provoked before nose grabApril 5, 2025
Fenerbahce have come out in defence of their coach Jose Mourinho, claiming he was provoked by his Galatasaray counterpart Okan Buruk following Wednesday’s Turkish Cup game between the sides. Mourinho, whose team lost 2-1 in the quarterfinal, was seen grabbing the nose of Buruk following a scuffle that broke out between the players on the… Read more: Fenerbahce: Mourinho provoked before nose grab
Harry Kane is on a mission to finally end his long personal trophy droughtApril 4, 2025
Harry Kane is a man on a mission. Not just for Bayern Munich but also for himself. It’s simple: the England captain finally wants to win silverware of note. Despite winning goal-scoring trophies and featuring in five finals, Kane has never tasted victory in a major competition, a run of futility that has even made… Read more: Harry Kane is on a mission to finally end his long personal trophy drought
Tottenham’s Postecoglou on thin ice with his future more uncertain than everApril 4, 2025
LONDON — Ange Postecoglou is no stranger to risk, but on Thursday, he played his most dangerous game yet. Tottenham Hotspur were midway through another insipid Premier League performance when his 64th-minute double change — introducing Pape Matar Sarr and Brennan Johnson for Lucas Bergvall and Wilson Odobert — elicited a brief but audible chant… Read more: Tottenham’s Postecoglou on thin ice with his future more uncertain than ever
City fans protest over ticket issues, miss 1st goalApril 3, 2025
Manchester City fans boycotted the opening of their Premier League fixture against Leicester City on Wednesday in protest at ticketing issues at the Etihad Stadium. Supporters gathered outside the stadium an hour before kick-off with a banner which read: “MCFC – For the love not the money.” Hundreds of fans also remained in the concourses… Read more: City fans protest over ticket issues, miss 1st goal
Carlo Ancelotti to go on trial for tax evasionApril 3, 2025
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti told a Spanish court on Wednesday that he “never thought about committing fraud” as he gave evidence in a trial in which he’s accused of failing to pay over €1 million ($1.08m) in taxes. Prosecutors have accused the veteran coach of evading paying tax on his image rights income during… Read more: Carlo Ancelotti to go on trial for tax evasion