Omar Artan — the Somali World Cup referee refused entry to the United States — has spoken about the “very tough period” during what should have been the highlight of his career: overseeing games at a World Cup. The 34-year-old was denied entry at Miami international airport in early June as Somalia is one of 12 countries on America’s travel ban list, with FIFA president Gianni Infantino suggesting he was…
Enzo Maresca has insisted that Omar Marmoush will decide if his future lies at Manchester City. Marmoush has struggled for Premier League starts since joining City from Eintracht Frankfurt in January 2025, making only 22 in total with 15 further appearances from the bench. The 27-year-old striker has scored 10 league goals but has played second fiddle to Erling Haaland and that is unlikely to change under new manager Maresca.…
Viktor Gyökeres has said he feels in far better physical shape than when he signed for Arsenal a year ago. The 28-year-old forward joined the Gunners in a £64 million deal last summer after scoring 97 goals in 102 games for Sporting Lisbon before experiencing a mixed first season at the Emirates Stadium. Gyökeres came in for criticism over some of his performances and started only 26 of the 36…
Everton and Crystal Palace have agreed a straight swap deal involving Dwight McNeil and Brennan Johnson, a source has told ESPN. The deal will see McNeil join Palace and Johnson move to Everton, with the wingers set for medicals on Monday. McNeil, 26, has made 114 appearances for Everton, and nearly joined Palace on loan in February. His partner, Megan Sharpley, had hit out at Palace’s “radio silence” following that…
UEFA, Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) have accused FIFA of a “fundamental breach of trust” and “deception” over its handling of plans to sell a stake in the World Cup, saying that the episode raises serious questions about the integrity of football’s leadership. In a joint statement, the three confederations took aim at FIFA president Gianni Infantino, saying the process represented a “profound failure of judgment” and accusing…
Mikel Arteta has said he is still “trying” to bring in players to make his Arsenal squad “much better,” after Vinícius Júnior opted to stay at Real Madrid. Following a week of intense speculation, Vinícius signed a new bumper deal at Real Madrid on Thursday. Arsenal were ready to pounce should a deal not have been agreed, but will now move onto other targets. Asked after another preseason defeat to…
Jose Mourinho revealed in a documentary that he signed a contract to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson as Manchester United manager in 2013 only to tearfully turn back on the deal and return to Chelsea. The football world was rocked when the Scottish great announced he was retiring having overseen a 13th Premier League title triumph win during a spell of unrivalled dominance at Old Trafford. United have failed to return…
Enzo Maresca said Rodri is due back with Manchester City next week amid continuing speculation over the Spain midfielder’s future. City this week rejected a €50 million ($58 million) offer from Barcelona for the Ballon d’Or winner, with the 30-year-old in the final year of his contract at the Etihad Stadium. After City’s 3-1 win over Atlético Madrid in Seoul on Sunday, Maresca was asked if he received any update…
Lucas Digne has completed his transfer to Paris Saint-Germain from Aston Villa on a three-year deal, the Ligue 1 club announced. This will be the France defender’s second stint in Paris, following on from his two-year spell at Parc des Princes between 2013 and 2015. Digne spent over four years at Villa, amassing 182 appearances in all competitions. He was a key member of Unai Emery’s side that lifted the…