BARCELONA, Spain — Barcelona president Joan Laporta has revealed he is recovering from a heart problem after being admitted to hospital. Laporta, 64, was due to fly to England this week as part of Barça’s preseason preparations, but his plans have changed after an arrhythmia was detected. He underwent a procedure at a hospital in the Catalan city on Tuesday that he says successfully restored his heart’s normal rhythm. “Everything…
UEFA has rejected a reported FIFA proposal to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors as a “line that football’s governing institutions should never cross” and that the World Cup is “not FIFA’s to sell.” FIFA on Tuesday said in a news release that it plans to “expand football development funding to over USD 10 billion subject to approval by FIFA Member Associations.” The release also said that…
New Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso admits his team has a lot to do ahead of the upcoming Premier League season, with game management and defensive frailty exposed by an “impressive” Western Sydney Wanderers side at Accor Stadium on Tuesday night. In his first friendly as manager, the former Liverpool and Real Madrid midfielder said he and his team learned a lot after an unexpected test against the local A-League Men…
Chelsea began their preseason campaign with a 6-4 victory over Western Sydney Wanderers in Xabi Alonso’s first game since taking charge as manager. João Pedro’s second-half hat trick after being introduced as a substitute turned the game in Chelsea’s favour in a forward-and-back contest that initially saw the Premier League side struggle to consistently stay in front. Jamie Gittens also scored after coming off the bench while Dastan Satpayev scored…
Sean Dyche has described new Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola’s style as “lower-league football, but at a high level,” in an unusual compliment to the Spaniard’s tactical approach. Speaking on the Good, the Bad and the Football podcast, the former Everton manager said Iraola had impressed him by adapting his philosophy. “The irony of it is [he] basically plays lower-league football, but at a high level,” Dyche said. “They turn…
The International Football Association Board (IFAB) clarified its guidance to referees which confirmed Switzerland forward Breel Embolo should not have been sent off in the World Cup quarterfinals against Argentina. Embolo’s second yellow card, after a video review for simulating being fouled, changed the momentum of the game in the 72nd minute soon after Switzerland tied the score at 1-1. Argentina won 3-1 in extra time with help from the…
LaLiga president Javier Tebas has called FIFA supremo Gianni Infantino’s Instagram message criticising those that questioned his leadership, his organisation and the 2026 World Cup as “pathetic.” Infantino shared a 15-slide post on Instagram on Monday, addressing several of the World Cup controversies while asking detractors to “take a moment to reflect, meditate, pray.” Infantino appeared to take aim at journalists in his post, saying: “Those behind their pens and…
Juventus have registered their interest in Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee, sources have told ESPN. United are open to offers for the Netherlands international and would prefer a straight transfer. Juventus are exploring all options including a season-long loan with an obligation or option to make the move permanent. Sources have told ESPN that the Serie A side have not yet made a formal offer, but United are aware of…
Chelsea are in talks to sign Danny Welbeck from Brighton, the Press Association understands, and are reportedly also targeting Jordan Henderson. The pair, 35 and 36 years old respectively, have emerged as surprise candidates to bolster Xabi Alonso’s squad. Welbeck scored 13 Premier League goals in 37 matches last season and has a year remaining on his deal. PA report that there is optimism a deal can be concluded as…
LONDON — The new Premier League season is set to trial a crackdown on goalkeepers who appear to feign injury in order to disturb the flow of the game or give time for coaches to instruct players. The English Football Association on Monday said the move has been approved by global soccer’s rulemaking panel. “English football has received approval from the International Football Association Board [IFAB] to introduce a new…