Category Other

Man City, Real Madrid’s instant classic sets up sensational return leg

MADRID — It was breathless in the Bernabeu, a night when Phil Foden and Fede Valverde delivered goals from the gods, when Real Madrid and Manchester City threw everything at each other in a bid to claim a crucial quarterfinal first-leg advantage and, ultimately, produced a 3-3 draw that leaves next week’s second-leg firmly in the balance. Yes, there were costly mistakes, foolish errors and lapses of concentration that will…

Relevent settles with FIFA on antitrust lawsuit

Relevent Sports has settled its antitrust lawsuit with FIFA as it pertains to the holding of league matches outside of a league’s home territory. The settlement now allows FIFA and Relevent to work together in bringing league matches from Europe and elsewhere to the United States. The settlement, filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, states that “Relevent and FIFA stipulate and agree to the…

Everton docked 2 more points for PSR breaches

An independent panel has handed Everton a two-point deduction on Monday for breaching the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR), the second time the club has faced a points deduction this season. Premier League regulations stipulate that a club can lose no more than £105 million ($132.54m) over a three-year period. – Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) “Over a three-day hearing last month, the independent Commission heard…

Klopp: Display vs. Utd ‘won’t be enough’ for title

MANCHESTER, England — Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said he expects more plot twists in the Premier League title race after his side salvaged a 2-2 draw at Manchester United on Sunday. Klopp’s side entered the weekend with a two-point lead in the title race, and they looked set to maintain that advantage when they dominated the first half against United, albeit wasting multiple chances to put the game out of…

Trabzonspor’s stadium ban for fan attack reduced

Turkish Super Lig club Trabzonspor’s six-match spectator ban imposed after their supporters stormed on to the pitch and fought with Fenerbahce players has been reduced to four matches after an appeal to the Turkish Football Federation (TFF). The TFF’s arbitration board also reduced their fine from 3,000,000 to 448,000 Turkish Lira ($14,000.) – Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) Turkish police detained 12 people on March 17 after the…

Like a ‘clown’? Poch pans Chelsea fans after win

LONDON — Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has hit back at suggestions that he could show more passion on the sidelines, saying he is not a “clown.” Pochettino hugged his staff and joined the wild celebrations after Chelsea earned a stunning 4-3 comeback victory against Manchester United on Thursday following two last-gasp goals from Cole Palmer. However, when asked in a postmatch news conference whether he would take on board advice…

Is Stuttgart’s Hoeness Germany’s next great young manager?

His last name is certainly familiar, yet Sebastian Hoeness, the coach, remains a relatively new figure among Germany’s top-tier managers. VfB Stuttgart sit third in the Bundesliga and Hoeness’s efforts with the modestly equipped squad have garnered attention from across German and European football circles. So much so that up until last month, when he extended his contract, Hoeness was even linked to the soon-to-be-vacant managerial position at Bayern Munich.…

South African player shot dead in hijacking

Former South Africa junior international Luke Fleurs, who played for the country’s most popular soccer club, Kaizer Chiefs, was killed in a carjacking in Johannesburg, police officials confirmed Thursday. Fleurs, 24, was shot in the chest at a gas station Wednesday night and the assailants drove off in his vehicle. “While waiting to be served by the attendant, he was confronted by two armed males,” police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela…

Famous footballing twins: Sons of Man United great sign pro contracts at Old Trafford

Manchester United heralded the second generation of a family dynasty this week as Darren Fletcher’s two sons, Jack and Tyler, both signed their first professional contracts with the club. Fletcher represented United more than 200 times during a 12-year career at Old Trafford, during which the dependable midfielder won five Premier League titles, the FA Cup and the Champions League among a raft of honours before also serving as a…