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Son snubs Saudi interest; set for Spurs stay

Son Heung-Min has announced his intention to stay at Tottenham despite receiving a lucrative offer to join Saudi Pro League club Al Ittihad. ESPN revealed on Monday that the 30-year-old had become the latest high-profile player to be targeted by Saudi clubs with Al Ittihad offering the forward a four-year deal worth €30 million ($32.7m) per season. – Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) A source close to negotiations…

Sources: Brazil mull hiring Ancelotti’s son as coach

The Brazilian Football Association (CBF) are considering appointing Carlo Ancelotti’s son, Davide, in a coaching role with the national team, sources have told ESPN, to help with the transition as they wait to appoint Ancelotti himself in June 2024. CBF president Ednaldo Rodrigues has repeatedly stated that Ancelotti is his preferred choice to take charge of Brazil following the departure of Tite after the 2022 World Cup, but the Real…

O’Neil leaves Bournemouth in shock sacking

Bournemouth have sacked manager Gary O’Neil, despite the fact that he guided them to Premier League survival last season, and hired Spanish coach Andoni Iraola in his place, the club announced on Monday. O’Neil took over from Scott Parker on an interim basis in August before being handed the job officially in November. – Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) He steered Bournemouth to a 15th-placed finish in the…

Hazard rules out retirement after Madrid exit

Eden Hazard has joked that he’s been “resting for three years” following an injury-hit spell at Real Madrid — but insisted he isn’t thinking about leaving football altogether, after retiring from the Belgium national team. The forward, 32, left Madrid this month by mutual consent after his contract at the Bernabeu was terminated a year early. – Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) Hazard retired from international football after…

Transfer Talk: Kyle Walker set to leave Man City and sign with Bayern Munich

The summer transfer window is open for some leagues in Europe and there’s plenty of gossip swirling around. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest buzz on rumours, comings, goings and, of course, done deals! Manchester City defender Kyle Walker is eager to join Bayern Munich permanently, with advanced talks taking place between him and German champions, reports Sky Sports Deutschland’s Florian Plettenberg. It has been reported that the 33-year-old…

FIFA’s AI project identifies 300 WC online abusers

A project using artificial intelligence to track social media abuse aimed at players at the 2022 World Cup identified more than 300 people whose details are being given to law enforcement, FIFA said Sunday. The people made “abusive, discriminatory, or threatening posts [or] comments” on platforms like Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube, soccer’s governing body said in a report detailing efforts to protect players and officials during the tournament…

Misspent Saudi money no threat to clubs – UEFA

European clubs should not be afraid of a player exodus to Saudi Arabia, UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said on Sunday, suggesting the country was making a mistake investing in stars at the end of their careers. Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema have been paid record-high contracts to join Saudi Arabian clubs this year, and similar offers were made to Lionel Messi and Luka Modric. They have combined to win every…

Southgate, TAA delighted with midfield switch

England manager Gareth Southgate said he plans to give Trent Alexander-Arnold more opportunities in midfield after the Liverpool right-back starred in his new international role during Friday’s 4-0 victory over Malta in their Euro 2024 qualifier. Alexander-Arnold thrived in a hybrid midfield role for Liverpool in the final months of the 2022-23 season and was at his creative best against Malta in his first international start for a year, scoring…

Ref ends U.S., Mexico early amid anti-gay chants

The United States men’s national team’s 3-0 win over Mexico in the Concacaf Nations League semifinal on Thursday was halted before the completion of second-half stoppage time by the referee amid anti-gay chanting. Referee Ivan Barton, who had already handed out four red cards in the game, paused the game in the 89th minute because of anti-gay chanting heard from the crowd at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Play resumed,…

Premier League preseason prospects: Casadei, Doak, Mainoo, more

The 2022-23 Premier League season is over, but before you know it another one will be on the horizon as it begins again on Aug. 11. After the fixtures for the new campaign were released on Thursday, clubs will be looking to use their summer tours to prepare. And that will include some teenage players you may not be aware of. Here is a selection of those to watch from…