Category Other

Aston Villa file CAS appeal to unblock registration for teen Brian Madjo

Aston Villa have appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to overturn a FIFA block preventing the club from registering 17-year-old forward Brian Madjo, who has been refused permission to play this year. Villa spent a reported €12 million ($13.6m) in January to buy the contract of north London-born Brian Madjo from French club Metz but have been unable to field him. FIFA blocked Madjo’s registration because its…

Chancellor of Germany derided for praising ‘team spirit’ of national side after World Cup exit

The Chancellor of Germany has been subject to derision online following a social media post in which he lauded his national team’s “team spirit” after their World Cup elimination — and claimed that the public were “thrilled.” Friedrich Merz, who took office in Berlin last year, praised Die Mannschaft shortly after their penalty shootout loss to Paraguay — which continued their torrid three-tournament streak without progression to the round of…

Germany’s Manuel Neuer retires from international football, has ‘no regrets’ after World Cup exit

Bayern Munich captain Manuel Neuer insists he has “no regrets” after announcing his decision to retire from international duty – for the second time in his career – following Germany‘s “very painful” World Cup exit. The 40-year-old goalkeeper first walked away from his national team after the 2024 European Championship, but made a “conscious decision to play one more time” at the 2026 global showpiece. He called it quits again…

FIFA identifies 13-fold rise in abusive social media posts towards World Cup players

A 13-fold increase in abusive social media posts directed towards World Cup participants compared to the last tournament four years ago has been identified by football’s world governing body FIFA. The Social Media Protection Service (SMPS) operated by FIFA has shielded players from 89,000 posts verified as abusive during the opening round of the tournament. At the same stage of the 2022 finals in Qatar, 6,700 posts had been identified,…

Marcus Rashford, Noni Madueke start for England vs. Congo DR at World Cup – sources

ATLANTA — Thomas Tuchel has made three changes for England’s round of 32 World Cup knockout match against Congo DR in Atlanta, with Marcus Rashford retaining his place on the left wing, while Noni Madueke, Djed Spence and Declan Rice all start, sources have told ESPN. Rashford started in England’s 2-0 win over Panama in New York and keeps his place for the knockout match, with Anthony Gordon on the…

Marcelo Bielsa on ‘painful’ Uruguay World Cup exit: ‘Nobody cares what I know’

Marcelo Bielsa has said that “nobody was interested” in what he transmitted after Uruguay were knocked out of the World Cup. The 70-year-old former Leeds boss oversaw a disappointing tournament with Uruguay, who finished third in Group H but did not have enough points to squeeze into the knockout stages. Uruguay secured just two points in their group campaign with draws to Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde before losing 1-0…

Three people die from suffocation during Mexico’s celebrations post-Ecuador win in World Cup

Three people have died from asphyxiation in Mexico City during World Cup celebrations, local authorities confirmed on Wednesday. The tragedies occurred near the Paseo de la Reforma, the most important avenue in Mexico City, where thousands of fans gathered to celebrate co-hosts Mexico reaching the round of 16 after a 2-0 win over Ecuador at the Estadio Azteca. Local health officials confirmed the death of a 44-year-old man and two…

French defender Jérémy Jacquet officially joins Liverpool from Rennes

Liverpool have completed the signing of France U21 centre-back Jérémy Jacquet from Rennes in a deal worth up to £60million ($79.5million.) The Premier League club reached an agreement for the 20-year-old in January and he has now signed a five-year contract at Anfield with the option of a further 12 months, subject to international clearance. The defender is expected to be available from the start of pre-season after missing the…

Sebastián Beccacece steps down as Ecuador coach after World Cup exit

Sebastián Beccacece has confirmed he will not continue as head coach of Ecuador following the team’s elimination from the World Cup. Ecuador lost 2-0 to co-hosts Mexico on Tuesday in the round of 32. Under contract until the end of the tournament, Beccacece told DS Sport after the game at the Azteca stadium: “Today it’s time to say goodbye to a beautiful, wonderful family with deep gratitude, great serenity, and…

Brazil’s Lucas Paquetá to undergo intensive treatment on hamstring injury in bid to play at World Cup again

Lucas Paquetá will undergo intensive treatment on a hamstring injury in the hope of playing for Brazil at the World Cup again. The Flamengo midfielder limped off the pitch at half-time of Brazil‘s 2-1 win over Japan on Monday. “Paquetá underwent an imaging exam that confirmed a muscle injury in the back of his left thigh,” Brazil’s Football Confederation (CBF) said in a statement. “The player will follow an intensive…