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Jakub Jankto talks coming out as gay, being a reluctant role model, Euro 2024 hopes and more

CAGLIARI, Italy — Jakub Jankto just wants to play football, like he always did. The Czech midfielder sits by his locker in the dressing room at Unipol Domus, Cagliari Calcio’s temporary home while the Stadio Sant’Elia silently awaits reconstruction next door. A small red-and-blue shirt cut from cardboard marks his place, with No. 21 printed on it. To the right, Paulo Azzi; to the left, Nicolas Viola, a leader who…

What now for England women after tough post-World Cup results?

GLASGOW, Scotland — England spent the final moments of their 2023 schedule huddled ’round a phone, in the middle of a freezing Hampden Park pitch trying to work out what was going on in Tilburg, where the Netherlands were playing Belgium. It capped a roller-coaster year that saw them reach the final of the Women’s World Cup, but also lose out in a spot in the semifinals of the Nations…

Four-year jail term sought for fans in Vini case

A Spanish prosecutor said on Tuesday he has requested four-year prison terms for four football fans in a hate crime case opened after a black effigy dressed as Real Madrid winger Vinícius Júnior was hung from a bridge in January. A banner reading “Madrid hates Real” and an inflatable black effigy dressed with a replica of Vinícius’ No. 20 shirt appeared hanging on a bridge near the club’s training ground…

Bellingham joins Messi, Mbappé, Haaland on list of Golden Boy award winners

The 2023 Golden Boy award, the prestigious honour bestowed upon the best and brightest young talent in European football each year, was won emphatically by Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham. The 20-year-old won the vote from a final list of 20 names that included Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala, Paris Saint-Germain’s Warren Zaïre-Emery and Manchester United’s Rasmus Højlund. Bellingham’s win — which was secured with a record number of points in…

Wiegman: Scotland won’t throw England game

GLASGOW, Scotland — Scotland captain Rachel Corsie has said suggestions they will throw away the match against England on Tuesday to help Team GB’s qualification for the Olympics are “disrespectful” and a “huge insult” to the team. If Scotland beat England on Tuesday, then Team GB’s hopes of playing at Paris 2024 will be over. England head to Scotland locked on points with the Netherlands at the top of their…

Haaland fumes over late whistle in City draw

Erling Haaland could be charged by the English Football Association for criticising the performance of match officials after reacting to a controversial late decision by referee Simon Hooper during Manchester City’s 3-3 draw with Tottenham with a post on X saying, “Wtf.” Dejan Kulusevski’s 90th-minute header secured a point for Spurs, but City were denied a match-winning chance five minutes into stoppage time when Hooper stopped play when Jack Grealish…

Man City’s defensive woes on display as winless run continues with draw vs. Spurs

MANCHESTER, England — It’s hard to win anything with an unreliable defence, so Pep Guardiola has work to do if Manchester City are to come close to replicating last season’s treble success this time around. Eight goals conceded in three games with the lead surrendered six times in those fixtures, are the kind of statistics usually associated with Erik ten Hag’s out-of-form Manchester United rather than Manchester City, but they…

Xavi: João Félix should harness Atlético slights

Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández urged João Félix to use disparaging comments from his former teammates to motivate him against Atlético Madrid on Sunday. João Félix, 24, joined Barça on a season-long loan from Atlético in the summer and will face his parent club for the first time on Sunday at the Olympic Stadium. – Stream LIVE: Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid, Sunday, 2:50 p.m. ET, ESPN+ Atlético forward Antoine Griezmann said…