Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola lashed out at the FA Cup schedule after his side reached the final by beating Chelsea 1-0 on Saturday, three days after their treble bid was ended by defeat on penalties by Real Madrid in the Champions League. A late goal by Bernardo Silva got holders City over the line, although they rode their luck in a 1-0 win over Chelsea, who were punished for…
The summer transfer window won’t reopen in Europe for a while yet, but there are plenty of moves in the works and gossip swirling around. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest buzz on rumours, comings, goings and, of course, done deals! Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva is a priority target for Barcelona in the summer transfer window, though they will face competition from Paris Saint-Germain, according to Sport. The…
The Football Association (FA) has defended its decision to scrap replays for the FA Cup from the first round next season, saying they discussed the move with the Premier League and English Football League (EFL). The EFL has denied any involvement in the announcement of the new format. The FA said the call was made with the intention of strengthening the competition despite having fewer dates available and with player…
From youngsters making their Champions League debuts, to 16-year-olds dazzling at the World Cup, 2023 was the year of the wonderkids in women’s football. In recent times we’ve seen the likes of Lauren James, Sophia Smith and Mary Fowler graduate from youth teamers to fully fledged professionals, but now the next generation are chomping at the bit to prove themselves. While there is still a large disparity in access and…
FIFA is set to create dozens of new committees and expert panels, reversing a governance reform passed in 2016 when the world football body was in turmoil during corruption scandals. FIFA’s plan to increase its number of standing committees from seven to 35 — with the option to let its president Gianni Infantino create and appoint extra panels of experts — was detailed in a draft update of its legal…
FA Cup replays will be scrapped from the first round next season as part of a six-year agreement with the Premier League to strengthen the domestic competition, the English Football Association (FA) announced on Thursday. The FA added that all FA Cup rounds will be played on weekends from next term, with the fourth and fifth rounds, plus quarterfinals, to be held exclusive of Premier League matches. – Stream on…
Brazil legend Romario, 58, has registered himself as a player for America Football Club in Rio de Janeiro, where he also serves as club president. After his registration was approved on Tuesday, the 1994 World Cup winner is available to play for the club in the second division of the Carioca Championship — the state league of Rio de Janeiro — which begins on May 18. – Stream on ESPN+:…
The summer transfer window won’t reopen in Europe for a while yet, but there are plenty of moves in the works and gossip swirling around. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest buzz on rumours, comings, goings and, of course, done deals! Napoli want to sign Lille striker Jonathan David this summer, according to Gazzetta dello Sport. The Serie A side are reported to view the 24-year-old as the ideal…
I don’t think that this is particularly widely known or properly understood, but Jude Bellingham was always “scheduled” to be playing in the Champions League quarterfinal second leg at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday. Only it was supposed to be for Manchester City against Real Madrid instead of Bellingham traveling to England’s north-west with Spain’s champions-elect this week. It was January last year that I had coffee with an unimpeachable…
Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández fumed about the decision to send Ronald Araújo off as his side were eliminated from the Champions League after Tuesday’s 4-1 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain at the Olympic Stadium. Xavi said Romanian referee Istvan Kovacs was a “disaster” and that showing a red card to Araujo for a last-man challenge on Bradley Barcola with Barça leading 1-0 on the night in the 29th minute, 4-2 on…