Author: Silver Emmanuel

3Mar By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

FIFA lifts suspension on Pakistan football, clearing path for international return

13 December 2024, Switzerland, Zürich: Soccer: World Cup qualifying Europe, the FIFA logo on the façade of FIFA headquarters before the draw ceremony for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. FIFA, the world governing body of football, has lifted the suspension on the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) after the necessary constitutional changes were made to ensure smooth governance of the sport in the country. FIFA had imposed the suspension on the PFF on February 5 due to the failure of Congress members to amend the constitution as required by the global body. However, last Thursday, PFF Congress members reached a consensus to implement the necessary amendments. A PFF official confirmed that FIFA informed them on Sunday that the suspension had been lifted. Since June 2019, Pakistan footb...

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3Mar By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

LALIGA

Real Madrid growing concerned about team’s attitude after Real Betis defeat

SEVILLE, SPAIN - MARCH 01: Carlo Ancelotti, Head Coach of Real Madrid, looks on from the bench prior to the LaLiga match between Real Betis Balompie and Real Madrid CF at Estadio Benito Villamarin on March 01, 2025 in Seville, Spain. A recent update from MARCA has shed light on growing concerns within Real Madrid’s management regarding the team’s attitude, particularly in the aftermath of their disappointing loss to Real Betis. The outlet mentions that the defeat has dealt a significant blow to the squad’s morale, raising questions about their mentality and approach in crucial moments of the season. Days before the setback against Betis, Real Madrid had secured an impressive victory over Manchester City, a result that seemed to suggest their season was back on track. However, the mome...

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3Mar By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

PREMIER LEAGUE

Newcastle confirm Anthony Gordon appeal plan for Carabao Cup final vs Liverpool

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 23: Newcastle United's Anthony Gordon in action during the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Nottingham Forest FC at St James' Park on February 23, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. Newcastle are ready to appeal Anthony Gordon's red card - which currently has him missing the Carabao Cup final. The Magpies winger was sent off before extra-time against Brighton on Sunday in what was a forgettable FA Cup outing for Eddie Howe's men. Another major trophy opportunity passed them by as the Seagulls secured a 2-1 win at St James' Park. Gordon was dismissed on 83 minutes after shoving Jean Paul van Hecke. Newcastle's 10 men couldn't hold out against the visitors, who were also down a man, with Danny Welbeck notching the winning goal ...

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2Mar By Silver Emmanuel3 Comments

BUNDESLIGA

Bayern Munich: Takeaways from impressive 3-1 victory over Stuttgart

Bayern Munich's French midfielder #17 Michael Olise (R) celebrates after scoring a goal with Bayern Munich's German forward #10 Leroy Sane during the German first division Bundesliga football match between VfB Stuttgart and FC Bayern Munich in Stuttgart, southwestern Germany on February 28, 2025. (Photo by THOMAS KIENZLE / AFP) / DFL REGULATIONS PROHIBIT ANY USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS AS IMAGE SEQUENCES AND/OR QUASI-VIDEO (Photo by THOMAS KIENZLE/AFP via Getty Images) Bayern Munich kicked off matchday 24 of the ongoing 2024/25 Bundesliga season on Friday when they visited the MHP Arena to take on mid-table side VfB Stuttgart. Despite falling a goal behind after 34 minutes, a far-from-full-strength Bayern rallied to level the score just before the half-time whistle thanks to a splendid piece ...

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2Mar By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

LALIGA

Barcelona plot surprising Raphinha sale in 2026

BARCELONA, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 25: Raphinha of FC Barcelona in action during the Spanish Cup, Copa del Rey, semi-final football match played between FC Barcelona and Atletico de Madrid at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on February 25, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain. Barcelona are looking to extend the contract of Raphinha, at the same time as preparing for an exit by the time the 2026 World Cup comes around, reports in Spain claim. The 28-year-old has been of Barcelona's most outstanding players of what's generally been an impressive season, registering 24 goals and 18 assists across 38 appearances in all competitions. Playing alongside Lamine Yamal and Robert Lewandowski in a devastatingly talented front three, Raphinha has elevated his game to previously unseen levels and is now thought of as o...

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2Mar By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

SERIE A

Torino win 2-0 at Monza

MONZA, ITALY - MARCH 02: Patrick Ciurria of Monza embraces Guillermo Maripan of Torino after the Serie A match between Monza and Torino at U-Power Stadium on March 02, 2025 in Monza, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images) 11th placed Torino won 2-0 at bottom club Monza to deepen the Lombard's relegation-set gloom Sunday. The Granata's goals came from Elif Elmas and Cesare Casadei. Torino are on 34 points, five behind 10th placed Udinese who beat 17th placed Parma earlier Sunday. Monza are glued to the bottom on 14 ppoints, four behind second last Venezia who drew 0-0 at third-placed Atalanta Saturday.

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2Mar By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Dele Alli named in matchday squad for first time in two years

COMO, ITALY - JANUARY 25: Dele Alli of Como 1907 reacts as he makes his way to the tunnel following the warm up prior to the Serie A match between Como 1907 and Atalanta BC at Stadio G. Sinigaglia on January 25, 2025 in Como, Italy. Former Tottenham star Dele Alli has been handed a career lifeline after being named in a matchday squad for the first time in two years. Alli, 28, is now in contention to feature for the Italian side in their Serie A clash against Roma on Sunday afternoon. He has endured a difficult period in his journey as a professional since leaving Spurs permanently in 2022. After signing for the north London side as a teenager from MK Dons, Dele became an integral part of Mauricio Pochettino's plans in a side that reached the Champions League final in 2019. But aft...

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1Mar By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

BUNDESLIGA

Dortmund beats St. Pauli 2-1 for back-to-back wins in Bundesliga

01 March 2025, Hamburg: Soccer: Bundesliga, Matchday 24, FC St. Pauli - Borussia Dortmund, at the Millerntor Stadium. Dortmund's Serhou Guirassy (4th from left) celebrates with his teammates after scoring the 0:1. Serhou Guirassy scored again on Saturday as Borussia Dortmund secured back-to-back wins in the Bundesliga for the first time this season with a 2-0 victory at St. Pauli. But it was far from impressive from Niko Kovac´s team, which bounced back from two defeats by routing Union Berlin 6-0 last weekend. Dortmund failed to the threaten in the first half, while St. Pauli - which has now failed to score in four games - created the goal-scoring opportunities. "We got exactly what we expected in the first half," Kovac said. "We had difficulties in build up play. We didn´t find the ri...

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1Mar By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

LALIGA

Isco’s Betis upset Liga champions Real Madrid

SEVILLA, SPAIN - MARCH 1: (L-R) Isco of Real Betis Sevilla, Luka Modric of Real Madrid during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Real Betis Sevilla v Real Madrid at the Estadio Benito Villamarin on March 1, 2025 in Sevilla Spain. La Liga champions Real Madrid suffered a dent to their title defence with a 2-1 defeat at Real Betis on Saturday. Isco scored the winner from the penalty spot against his former side, who are level on points with league leaders Barcelona, who face Real Sociedad on Sunday. Atletico Madrid, third, host Athletic Bilbao later Saturday and can move top with a victory. The visitors took the lead at the Benito Villamarin stadium through Brahim Diaz but Betis struck back with a Johnny Cardoso header. Isco secured the Andalusian side a deserved victory with a penalty ea...

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1Mar By Silver Emmanuel3 Comments

SERIE A

Napoli score late to stay within 1 pt of Inter

Philip Billing of SSC Napoli celebrates with team mates after scoring during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and FC Internazionale at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona Naples Italy on 1 March 2025.  Napoli scored late on to stay within one point of champs and leaders Inter Milan at the top of Serie A Saturday. Denmark midfielder Philip Billing slotted home in the 86th minute to wipe out Italy left wing back Federico Di Marco's wicked curling free kick from the edge of the box in the 22nd minute that had long fuelled Nerazzurri hopes of going four points clear with 11 games to go. Napoli nearly got the winner in a goalmouth scramble at the death. Inter have 58 points, and Napoli 57. Atalanta, who drew 0-0 at home to secodn bottom Venezia earlier, are third on 45.

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28Feb By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Ruben Amorim responds to Roy Keane’s criticism of Bruno Fernandes

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 19: Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes during the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Brighton & Hove Albion FC at Old Trafford on January 19, 2025 in Manchester, England. Ruben Amorim says his opinion of Bruno Fernandes is more important than Roy Keane’s as he defended his Manchester United captain in the face of another attack by the Irishman. Former United skipper Keane took aim at Fernandes again in a podcast on Thursday, accusing the Portuguese of not being ‘a fighter’ and claiming that ‘talent is not enough’ to captain the club. But Amorim leapt to Fernandes’ defence on Friday even though he acknowledged that the player can sometimes get under people’s skin. Asked about Keane’s comments, he said: ‘I heard about that, I have a differen...

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28Feb By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

SERIE A

Juventus Bounce Back Financially After Years of Losses

TURIN, ITALY - FEBRUARY 12: A Juventus branded corner flag in a general view prior to kick off in the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Knockout Play-off First Leg match between Juventus FC and PSV at Juventus Stadium on February 12, 2025 in Turin, Italy. Juventus aren’t doing particularly well on the pitch, but the financial situation at the club has improved significantly in the past calendar year, primarily thanks to the return to the Champions League after a one-year ban stemming from the ‘plusvalenze’ trial, La Gazzetta dello Sport informs. The Bianconeri announced having closed the last six months of 2024 in the black by €16.9M. They had lost €95.1M in the same period of 2023 and 199M for the entire past season. The UEFA prize money was a big factor. The team pocketed €64,1M. J...

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28Feb By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

SERIE A

Conceicao offers up his job after yet another loss

Sergio Conceicao is the head coach of AC Milan during the match between AC Milan and FC Inter in Serie A at Stadio San Siro in Milan, Italy, on February 2, 2025. Milan didn’t take advantage of the make-up game against Bologna to gain ground in the Champions League, and coach Sergio Conceicao stated that he’d be ready to step down if it helped in his post-game remarks (via Goal). “There was a blatant handball on the first goal. We should do more about all these negative episodes. We must keep working and see what we did well. All our errors turn out to be decisive. When we settle into games, we play like we prepared, cover the pitch well, and arrive in the final third easily. Then, every now and again, these things happen. The referee isn’t the only one responsible for this loss, but the...

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28Feb By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

NEWS

Neymar Reveals Why He Rejected Real Madrid ‘Blank Cheque’ To Join FC Barcelona

LIMEIRA, BRAZIL - FEBRUARY 23: Neymar of Santos kicks a corner kick during a Campeonato Paulista match between Inter de Limeira and Santos at Major Levy Sobrinho Stadium on February 23, 2025 in Limeira, Brazil. Brazilian soccer star Neymar revealed why he rejected a "blank check" from Real Madrid to join its bitter rival FC Barcelona while appearing on the Podpah podcast. The Santos-produced prodigy is now back with the Sao Paulo state coastal club that also gave the world Pele and Rodrygo. In the early 2010s, however, upon his rise to global prominence, he was wanted by a number of European heavyweights falling over themselves to land Brazil’s most talked up talent of the time. On the Podpah podcast, Neymar recalled that time in history. “Real Madrid’s offer was a blank cheque, they t...

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28Feb By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

NEWS

Jose Mourinho banned for four matches, fined after Turkish referees comment

José Mourinho of Fenerbahce looks on during the Super Lig match between Galatasaray and Fenerbahce at Rams Park, Istanbul, Turkey on February 24, 2025. Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho was given a four-match ban and fined by the Turkish Football Federation following his comments about Turkish referees after a match at Galatasaray. The Turkish federation on Thursday (February 27, 2025) fined the 62-year-old Portuguese coach 1.6 million Turkish lira ($44,000) after he criticized the match officials in a media conference following a 0-0 Super Lig draw on Monday. Mourinho served one of his suspended four games on Thursday when he was absent from the bench for Fenerbahce's 4-1 Turkish Cup win at Gaziantep. Britain's Sky Sports News said Fenerbahce had appealed the four-game ban. It means tha...

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28Feb By Silver Emmanuel4 Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Ruud van Nistelrooy vows to ‘keep going’ after another poor Leicester result

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 27: Ruud van Nistelrooy, Manager of Leicester City speaks to the media in a post match press conference after the Premier League match between West Ham United FC and Leicester City FC at London Stadium on February 27, 2025 in London, England. Ruud van Nistelrooy shrugged off any suggestion he could be sacked after Leicester slumped to another dismal defeat at West Ham. The Foxes looked like they were waving the white flag in the battle to avoid relegation from the Premier League during an abject first half. An early goal from Tomas Soucek and Jannik Vestergaard’s own goal before half-time ultimately gave West Ham a 2-0 victory that was far more comfortable than the scoreline suggests. Van Nistelrooy’s hapless side have now lost 11 of their last 12 matches, th...

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27Feb By Silver Emmanuel3 Comments

TRANSFERS

PSG Rekindle Strong Interest in Bayern’s Joshua Kimmich

Joshua Kimmich of Bayern Muenchen controls the ball during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern München and Eintracht Frankfurt at Allianz Arena on February 23, 2025 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by GSI/Icon Sport via Getty Images) Paris Saint-Germain have been keeping an eye on Bayern Munich midfielder Joshua Kimmich for months, even coming close to signing him last summer. Nonetheless, the Parisians are again revisiting this file and hoping that this time around, they will succeed. Barcelona are reportedly targeting Joshua Kimmich and Bayer Leverkusen defender Jonathan Tah as they look to strengthen their midfield and defense ahead of the 2025 season. Journalists Christian Falk and Tobi Altschäffl have previously reported that Bayern Munich have given up on persuading Kimmich to...

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27Feb By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

LALIGA

Flick makes De Jong demand after Barca’s draw with Atletico

FC Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick during the Copa del Rey match, Semi-finals, leg 1, between FC Barcelona and Atletico de Madrid played at Lluis Companys Stadium on February 25, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain. Hansi Flick made it clear he wasn’t happy with Barcelona’s defensive effort after Tuesday’s Copa del Rey semi-final draw against Atletico Madrid. According to Marca, Flick has analysed the game and called on Frenkie de Jong to be “more decisive” defensively to help support the backline. De Jong had a good game against Atletico, but Flick wants more from the Dutchman and feels he could have done better against Diego Simeone’s side. The German coach has noted how De Jong failed to close down Angel Correa in the build-up to Atletico’s third goal which put the visitors back in the game. Flic...

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27Feb By Silver Emmanuel3 Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Emery says Villa ‘not contenders’ to win FA Cup

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 25: Aston Villa's manager Unai Emery arriving at the stadium during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace FC and Aston Villa FC at Selhurst Park on February 25, 2025 in London, England. Manager Unai Emery says Aston Villa are "not a contender" to win the FA Cup this season. Villa host Championship strugglers Cardiff City on Friday for a place in the quarter-finals. Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea have already been knocked out and Villa beat Premier League rivals West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur in the previous two rounds. But Emery said: "We are not a contender in the FA Cup to win the title, but to try to compete in the competition and have a way to a trophy - and Europe is very important, and prestigious. "Every club, players and coaches like...

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27Feb By Silver Emmanuel3 Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Mikel Arteta wants good news on returns of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli

Mikel Arteta, manager of Arsenal, looks dejected after a 0-0 draw during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Arsenal at the City Ground in Nottingham, England, on February 26, 2025. (Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images) Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is hoping for some good news from his medical department on the fitness of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli. Saka and Martinelli have both been sidelined with hamstring injuries, with the England international needing surgery before Christmas. They are on the comeback trail and could be fit to return after next month’s international break. Arteta is meeting with medical staff on Thursday to find out their exact condition. Asked if they could be back in early April, the Spaniard said: “I think so but again let’s see how...

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