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FIFA president Gianni Infantino has offered “heartfelt gratitude” to Iranian authorities for allowing tens of thousands of women and girls to attend a top-flight soccer match between Sepahan and Persepolis on Monday. After calls for Iran to be banned from the 2022 World Cup because of the continued exclusion of women from football matches in the Islamic republic, Infantino adopted a policy of personal engagement with the country’s leadership. Monday’s…

The January transfer window is just around the corner, but how much do we know about the people behind the scenes who are responsible for making things happen? Be it a sporting director, managing director or even club president, Europe’s top clubs all have someone pulling the strings … well almost all, as Arsenal are currently without one after sporting director Edu Gaspar’s November exit to head up the multi-club…

On my Bundesliga travels these past few weeks while jostling at railway station newsagents with Weihnachtsmarktbesucher (Christmas market visitors), I kept catching sight of a particular Sonderheft, a special edition of the highly regarded football magazine, Kicker. This one is entitled “50 Jahre 2. Bundesliga,” 50 years of the German second division, and the subheadline made me smile: “The name, the sliding tackles. This league has always had something about…

Enzo Maresca has said that Chelsea believe Mykhailo Mudryk is innocent following his positive drugs test and will continue to “support” the player. Mudryk and Chelsea released statements on Tuesday confirming that the FA had been in contact over the Ukraine winger supplying an adverse urine sample, with both player and club expressing their surprise. Head coach Maresca faced the media for the first time since that news on Wednesday…

The January transfer window for the Women’s Super League (WSL) opens on Jan. 1 and closes on Jan. 30. While money is tight, as ever, in the women’s game, there are some possible deals in the offing. We assess what could happen at each of the 12 WSL clubs this summer. ARSENAL Arsenal will adopt a one-in, one-out approach to transfers, considering the current shape of their squad. Midfielder Katherine…

Barcelona are preparing to open contract talks with Frenkie de Jong and Ronald Araújo, while several clubs across Europe are monitoring the situation of Paris Saint-Germain’s Randal Kolo Muani. Join us for the latest transfer news, gossip and rumors from around the globe. Transfers homepage | Done deals | Men’s grades | Women’s grades – Palmeiras reject Brighton’s $25m bid for Vitor Reis – Dutch defender Casparij signs Man City…

LIVERPOOL, England — In the clubhouse at Ringmahon Rangers, on the banks of Cork’s Loch Mahon, two items take pride of place on the wall. The first is a signed shirt belonging to Ringmahon alumnus and Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher. Hanging alongside it is a handwritten letter from former Reds boss Jürgen Klopp, who reached out to the club after the Republic of Ireland international — while wearing the shirt…

In the last matchweek before a much-needed winter break, the WSL delivered a few festive surprises as Everton claimed a first-ever win over Manchester City the day after struggling Leicester held Chelsea to a 1-1 draw. With the top two dropping points, both Arsenal and Manchester United used the opportunity to close the gap with 1-0 wins away to Liverpool and Crystal Palace respectively. Elsewhere, Aston Villa hit West Ham…

Austrian football player Guido Burgstaller has been left with serious head injuries, including a skull fracture, after he was attacked in the Vienna city centre, his club Rapid Vienna said on Monday. Rapid Vienna said the 35-year-old striker was struck by an unidentified man and fell, injuring his head, in an incident which took place in front of witnesses during the weekend. The club said Burgstaller, who has played 26…

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has said he has no regrets over signing a two-year contract extension despite the club’s on-pitch struggles. Man City have just one win in six games across all competitions since the Spanish manager’s new contract was unveiled last month, keeping him at the club until 2027. Following a series of disappointing Premier League performances, the reigning champions find themselves in fifth place with 27 points,…