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Barca’s Xavi on suing reporters: ‘I won’t tolerate lies’

Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández confirmed on Friday that he is taking legal action against two journalists he said made up stories about him. Reports surfaced this week claiming Xavi was not happy with one report that said he demanded his coaching staff all put their phones on the table so he could determine if there was a leak from his own team. – Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)…

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March 30, 2024

Wrexham owe Reynolds, McElhenney $11m

Wrexham, the Welsh team bought by Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney in 2021, released their accounts for the latest financial year on Thursday and reported that the amount owed to the two owner/celebrities has risen to nearly £9 million ($11.4m). That was up from £3.7m ($4.67m) from the previous year, ending June 2022. – Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) While the club said turnover rose from…

Other
March 29, 2024

Fulham’s stadium plan includes rooftop pool

Fulham have unveiled lavish plans for their redeveloped Riverside Stand with a host of premium matchday experiences that club chairman Shahid Khan has said will be “unlike anything in football.” The Riverside Stand was closed off to fans for renovation work in 2019, with the lower tier being opened to the public in 2022. Work on the upper tier is now complete and will be open to supporters from the…

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March 29, 2024

Reports: 2 1/2-year jail term sought for Rubiales

A prosecutor at Spain’s High Court is seeking a prison sentence of 2-1/2 years for former football federation (RFEF) chief Luis Rubiales over his unsolicited kiss on player Jenni Hermoso, court documents seen by Reuters and EFE on Wednesday showed. Prosecutor Marta Durántez charged Rubiales with one count of sexual assault and one of coercion for his alleged actions in the aftermath of the kiss, offences carrying jail terms of…

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March 28, 2024

Euro 2024 hosts Germany, freed from weight of expectation, are ready to fly

FRANKFURT, Germany — The odd thing about watching Germany less than three months from the 2024 European Championship, their first major event on home soil since the 2006 World Cup, is the blasé vibe you get from fans, players and coach Julian Nagelsmann. The 45,000 fans in attendance for Tuesday’s 2-1 friendly win against Netherlands certainly made a racket, but in a corporate crowd/stadium DJ/pass-the-beer sort of way. They didn’t…

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March 28, 2024

A-League commits: We’re a development league

The A-League’s pivot towards a “football focus” will bolster the competition’s status as a breeding ground for players who go on to do “great things” in Europe, according to Australian Professional Leagues (APL) commissioner Nick Garcia. Assuming primary responsibility for the operation of the A-League Men and A-League Women last October, Garcia’s tenure at the APL helm has largely been dominated by off-field issues. Weeks of fan discontent surrounding over-policing…

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March 27, 2024

Ex-China football chief jailed over $10m bribes

A former president of China’s football association has been sentenced to life in prison for accepting more than $10 million in bribes, the country’s state media reported on Tuesday, following one of the biggest anti-corruption probes in the sport in years. The sentence handed down to Chen Xuyuan came in the wake of probes into more than a dozen high-level football officials since late 2022. Chen had brought “tremendous damage”…

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March 27, 2024

Rice ‘speechless’ to lead out England on 50th cap

Declan Rice admitted he was left “speechless” after being named England captain for Tuesday’s friendly against Belgium at Wembley. The Arsenal midfielder will mark his 50th cap by leading out Gareth Southgate’s side in their final outing before he names his 23-man squad for Euro 2024 on May 16. – Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) “I’m speechless to be honest with you,” said Rice speaking on Monday ahead…

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March 26, 2024

Cancelo: ‘Lies were told’ about my City exit

João Cancelo has taken a swipe at Manchester City, claiming “lies were told” about him following his departure to Bayern Munich in January 2023. The Portugal international had been key player for City manager Pep Guardiola but fell out of favour in the first half of the 2022-23 campaign. – Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) There were claims in the media that Cancelo was unhappy with teammates Rico…

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March 26, 2024

Football’s fastest goals: 6-second strike among quickest of all time

Austria came well and truly flying out of the blocks against Slovakia on Saturday when Christoph Baumgartner scored the opening goal of the friendly fixture just six seconds in. The visitors kicked off in Bratislava and, after receiving possession in the centre circle, Baumgartner opted for the direct route to goal. He quickly weaved past several defenders before firing in a low finish from 20 yards to launch his side…

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March 25, 2024

Ancelotti happy with Madrid transfer backingMay 18, 2025
Carlo Ancelotti said on Saturday that he couldn’t have asked for more from Real Madrid on signings, with the club now in the middle of a major defensive rebuild after failing to land a major trophy this season. Madrid’s rivals Barcelona were confirmed as LaLiga champions on Thursday after Ancelotti’s team had already missed out… Read more: Ancelotti happy with Madrid transfer backing
Crystal Palace bests Man City to claim FA CupMay 18, 2025
Crystal Palace won their first ever major trophy with a surprise 1-0 win over Manchester City in the FA Cup final on Saturday, thanks to Eberechi Eze’s first-half goal and Dean Henderson’s penalty save.
Villa ease past Spurs for huge boost to UCL hopesMay 17, 2025
High-flying Aston Villa dispatched Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 in the Premier League on Friday to improve their chances of more Champions League football and leave their visitors firmly focused on next week’s Europa League final.
Casemiro: Brazil needed ‘big name’ like AncelottiMay 17, 2025
Manchester United midfielder Casemiro has praised the hiring of Real Madrid’s Carlo Ancelotti for the Brazilian national team, saying that his country “needed” a prominent manager like the five-team Champions League winner. Casemiro won two Champions League titles and a LaLiga crown during his three seasons playing under Ancelotti in Madrid. “After Tite left, I… Read more: Casemiro: Brazil needed ‘big name’ like Ancelotti
CBF prez ousted days after Ancelotti appointmentMay 16, 2025
A Rio de Janeiro court ordered the board of Brazil’s Football Confederation (CBF) to be removed from their positions, including president Ednaldo Rodrigues on Thursday. Fernando Sarney, one of the CBF’s vice-presidents who requested Rodrigues’ removal, was appointed interim president and was tasked with holding elections “as soon as possible”. Rodrigues, who was successfully re-elected… Read more: CBF prez ousted days after Ancelotti appointment
Transfer rumors, news: Wrexham target Premier League stars for promotion pushMay 16, 2025
Wrexham are planning to move for experienced Premier League players as they look to secure promotion to the top flight, while several clubs are targeting Brighton & Hove Albion’s João Pedro. Join us for the latest transfer news, rumours and gossip from around the globe. Transfers homepage | Done deals | Men’s January grades |… Read more: Transfer rumors, news: Wrexham target Premier League stars for promotion push
Madrid down to 10 from first team vs. MallorcaMay 15, 2025
Injuries to Brahim Díaz and Andriy Lunin left Real Madrid with just 10 available first-team players for Real Madrid’s crucial LaLiga game against Real Mallorca on Wednesday. The match has little significance for Madrid but a loss means rivals Barcelona can claim the league title while a win for Mallorca puts them closer to securing… Read more: Madrid down to 10 from first team vs. Mallorca
Transfer rumors, news: Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea eye João PedroMay 15, 2025
A trio of Premier League clubs are targeting Brighton’s João Pedro, as Dean Huijsen moves ever closer to joining Real Madrid. Join us for the latest transfer news, rumours and gossip from around the globe. Transfers homepage | Done deals | Men’s January grades | Women’s January grades – Sources: Man City eye Wirtz; Liverpool… Read more: Transfer rumors, news: Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea eye João Pedro
Returning World Cup to Brazil would make Ancelotti the GOATMay 14, 2025
The walls finally collapsed after the abject humiliation of the 4-1 defeat to Argentina in World Cup qualifying at the end of March, a game where Brazil in which dominated from first to last. Coach Dorival Júnior appeared hopelessly out of his depth — and he was the last card played by the sizable lobby… Read more: Returning World Cup to Brazil would make Ancelotti the GOAT
Transfer rumors, news: Delap to choose Man United over ChelseaMay 14, 2025
Manchester United have moved ahead of Chelsea in the race to sign England under-21 international Liam Delap, while Liverpool have held advanced talks regarding Jeremie Frimpong. Join us for the latest transfer news, rumors and gossip from around the globe. Transfers homepage | Done deals | Men’s January grades | Women’s January grades – Brazil… Read more: Transfer rumors, news: Delap to choose Man United over Chelsea