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European review: Real Madrid send message in LaLiga title race

With all the attention being paid to the football in Las Vegas this weekend, the other football across Europe’s top five leagues was jam-packed with numerous huge matches that could decide titles and also paint a picture to see how teams will prepare in the European competitions with the UEFA Champions League and Europa League returning after this weekend. In Spain, we saw Real Madrid bring surprise packages Girona back…

China cancels Argentina tour over Messi row

Both of Argentina’s planned friendlies in China have been canceled by local authorities after Lionel Messi did not play in an Inter Miami match in Hong Kong last weekend. Beijing’s soccer association said on Saturday that it would not organize Argentina’s scheduled friendly clash against the Ivory Coast in March. The news comes a day after Hangzhou’s sports authorities also canceled a friendly between Argentina and Nigeria. – Stream on…

China cancels Argentina tour over Messi absence

Both of Argentina’s planned friendlies in China have been canceled by local authorities after Lionel Messi did not play in an Inter Miami match in Hong Kong last weekend. Beijing’s soccer association said on Saturday that it would not organize Argentina’s scheduled friendly clash against the Ivory Coast in March. The news comes a day after Hangzhou’s sports authorities also canceled a friendly between Argentina and Nigeria. – Stream on…

Sources: Referees’ body calls off blue card trial

The International Football Association Board (IFAB) has postponed the introduction of a new blue card as part of trials of sin bins in professional football, sources have told ESPN. Football’s lawmakers announced in November measures to improve player behaviour and increase respect for match officials, which included temporary dismissals for dissent and specific tactical offences. – Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) The IFAB was due to announce protocols…

Transfer Talk: Man United won’t compete for Toney signature

The winter transfer window is now closed in Europe’s top leagues, but there are plenty of moves in the works and gossip swirling around as we look ahead to the summer. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest buzz on rumours, comings, goings and, of course, done deals!

Why Premier League centre-backs no longer just need to defend

Full-backs are inverting, goalkeepers are playing like NFL quarterbacks, while centre-backs now have to do just about everything for a progressive football team. Indeed, Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher recently described centre-back as “the most demanding position on the pitch” and admitted he would have struggled to cope in today’s game. Being able to mark, tackle, and head the ball — prerequisites of the traditional defender — make up just a…

Pulisic headlines new Milan fourth kits inspired by Los Angeles music scene

Perhaps fitting for a club of their stylish grandeur, USMNT star Christian Pulisic helped unveil AC Milan’s new fourth kit for the 2023-24 season that comes in two different shades and brings a dash of artistic conceptualism to football shirt design. Indeed, Milan have joined forces with Los Angeles-based streetwear brand Pleasures to create not one, but two versions of an achingly cool alternative strip that blends cultural elements of…

Greek fans allowed at games after 2-month ban

Greece will allow matches in its top league football to be played with fans from Feb. 13, two months after Greek Super League clubs were ordered to play behind closed doors following the severe injuring of a police officer during a volleyball match. In Greece, violence between football fans and clubs are frequent, and the government has been trying for years to reform the sport which is plagued by criminal…

Bellingham referred to RFEF for Getafe complaint

LaLiga have reported the incident in which Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham allegedly called Getafe forward Mason Greenwood a “rapist” to the Spanish Football Federation’s (RFEF) competition committee. The incident took place during Madrid’s 2-0 win at Getafe on Feb. 1. Getafe filed a complaint to LaLiga the day after the game. “After the match, messages were detected through social media regarding a possible incident in which visiting player Jude Bellingham…

Cameroon federation rejects Eto’o’s resignation

Samuel Eto’o tendered his resignation as president of the Cameroon Football Federation on Monday only to have it rejected by its executive committee. Eto’o, who won the African player of the year a record four times, has been dogged by allegations of improper conduct, match-fixing and corruption. – Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) The federation said its executive committee met in Cameroon’s capital, Yaoundé, on Monday to evaluate…