Another topsy-turvy weekend of European football is in the books, and there are talking points galore across the big leagues. Atletico Madrid slumped to a shock defeat at Leganés and Barcelona could only manage a draw against Getafe. That left the door open Real Madrid and Los Blancos duly obliged; smashing four past Las Palmas and shifting into top spot in LaLiga in the process. In England, Tottenham Hotspur’s season…
Carlo Ancelotti said he feels “supported” at Real Madrid after a week which saw them beaten 5-2 by rivals Barcelona in the Spanish Supercopa, prompting a meeting with CEO José Ángel Sánchez. ESPN reported that Ancelotti’s talks with Sánchez this week were routine, and focused on dealing with the problems Madrid have faced this season. On Thursday, Madrid beat Celta Vigo 5-2 in the Copa del Rey round of 16,…
Barcelona defender Alejandro Balde said he was racially abused by Getafe supporters during Saturday’s 1-1 road draw at the Coliseum. Balde, who is Black, revealed that the incidents took place during the first half of the LaLiga fixture and that he advised referee Pablo González Fuertes. “I received several racist insults from the fans here,” the left-back said in a postmatch interview with Movistar. “It’s lamentable and something that should…
Barcelona have confirmed they will not return to Spotify Camp Nou before May as renovation work on the club’s stadium drags on. It means they will potentially finish this season at the Olympic Stadium, where they have been playing since the Camp Nou revamp began in the summer of 2023, although sources have told ESPN hosting a match in May has not been completely ruled out. Barça end the LaLiga…
FIFA suspended the president of Panama’s football federation for a fat-shaming comment about a star player in the women’s national team. Manuel Arias suggested midfielder Marta Cox was “fat” after she made critical comments about the set-up at the national team, which qualified for the 2023 Women’s World Cup. “President Arias has been banned for six months, until July 14, 2025, during which he will not be able to participate…
Inter Miami CF made two new signings ahead of its 2025 MLS campaign, adding defender Gonzalo Lujan and goalkeeper Rocco Rios Novo to the roster. Lujan comes to Inter Miami from Argentine top-flight team San Lorenzo and joins the Herons on a contract through the 2027 MLS season with an additional option for 2028. The defender adds much needed depth to the squad with his ability to play as a…
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice has praised the attacking performance of his teammates in the north London derby win over Tottenham Hotspur, saying they could have scored 10 goals in the 2-1 triumph. Mikel Arteta’s team came from behind to beat Spurs in a typically entertaining contest at Emirates Stadium, with all three goals coming in a first half that saw the visitors take the lead before a four-minute salvo saw…
OVIEDO, Spain — Through the smoke is a familiar face doing a familiar thing. Saturday night in Oviedo, the biggest night of the year, and a bus pulls out from the Monumental Naranco hotel, where blue banners hang from the facade and hundreds of football fans wait outside. From the hillside above them, a statue of Jesus looks down, stone arms wide, although He probably can’t see anything through the…
Swedish football manager Sven-Göran Eriksson, the first foreign coach to lead the England national team, died with debts of over £3.8 million ($4.64 million) following years of financial mismanagement. Eriksson, who died in August last year at the age of 76 having earlier announced that he was terminally ill with pancreatic cancer, left assets worth £4.8m but owed £8.64m. Most of Eriksson’s debts were tax-related in the UK, owing £7.25m…
Ange Postecoglou has said he was subjected to “vile and detestable” abuse during Tottenham Hotspur’s FA Cup third-round win at Tamworth on Sunday. Spurs required extra-time to secure a 3-0 win against the lowest-ranked side left in the competition. Postecoglou appeared to embrace the non-league atmosphere at The Lamb Ground with one video circulating widely on social media showing the 59-year-old laughing in response to some negative chanting from a…