NEWS – Page 17 – Football Flame

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How West Ham United could line up against Bayer Leverkusen

  West Ham United's Tomas Soucek and Emerson Palmieri in discussion during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur at London Stadium on April 2, 2024 in London, England.West Ham United manager David Moyes could be without one of his integral attackers due to injury when the Irons face Bayer Leverkusen in Thursday's Europa League quarter-final first leg.During Saturday's 2-1 Premier League triumph over Wolverhampton Wanderers, Jarrod Bowen went down early in the second half and was ultimately forced off in a concerning sight for the away support.According to West Ham fan site Claret And Hugh, scans have not uncovered any lasting damage, but the England international is said to be suffering from severe spinal bruising.As a result, Bowen is classed as ...
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Northern Ireland boss Tanya Oxtoby to miss Bosnia game due to illness

 Tanya Oxtoby, Head Coach of Northern Ireland, looks on prior to the UEFA EURO 2025 Women's Qualifiers match between Northern Ireland and Malta at Windsor Park on April 05, 2024 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland manager Tanya Oxtoby will miss Tuesday’s Euro 2025 qualifier against Bosnia and Herzegovina due to illness.The Australian coach is one of several members of the Northern Ireland camp that has been affected by a virus over the past week.Oxtoby was unable to travel to Zenica, with first team coach Stuart McLaren now charged with managing the team in Bosnia.Angela Platt, the Irish FA’s Director of Women’s Football, revealed: “The senior women’s group have had a small number of incidents of sickness – vomiting and diarrhoea - during the past week in camp, impacti...
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Cardiff City Women presented with Genero Adran Leagues trophy

 Cardiff  Women beat Wrexham 5-1 before being presented with the Genero Adran Leagues Premier trophy at Cardiff City Stadium.Championship ConferenceAberystwyth Town 0-0 Swansea City (Att: 140)Cardiff City Women 5-1 WrexhamThere was going to be no spoiling of the Bluebirds big day, as Rhianne Oakley, Mikayla Cook and Siobhan Walsh all struck for a 3-0 interval lead. Eliza Collie and teenage substitute Olivia Basham added one each, before Carra Jones netted a consolation for the visitors.Aberystwyth Town finished their season by holding runners-up Swansea City to a goalless draw.Plate ConferencePontypridd United 0-3 The New Saints (Att: 102)Barry Town United 1-2 Cardiff Met (Att: 83)The New Saints had already clinched top spot in the Plate Conference and ended with a 3-0 win at rel...
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Celtic boost as star medically discharged ahead of Rangers clash – ‘Will return’ for Ibrox showdown

Luis Palma of Celtic celebrates after he scores his team's third goal during the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Motherwell FC and Celtic FC at Fir Park on February 25, 2024 in Motherwell, Scotland.Celtic star Luis Palma has been medically discharged by the club’s medical staff and will be in the squad for the match against Philippe Clement’s Rangers this weekend.That’s according to La Prensa and Diez in Honduras, who both say that the forward will be in Brendan Rodgers’ squad as they take on Rangers at Ibrox.Palma has been out of action for over a month after picking up a knock in training ahead of the international break, which ultimately saw him miss out for his country as a result.He underwent an MRI scan ahead of that break which confirmed he would be out of four weeks and ha...
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Without Messi, Inter Miami unravels late, falls 2-1 to Monterrey in Champions Cup

Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami looks on from the sidelines during the second half in the game against Monterrey in the quarterfinals of the Concacaf Champions Cup - Leg One at Chase Stadium on April 03, 2024 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Lionel Messi remained sidelined with a hamstring injury Wednesday night as his Inter Miami team built a one-goal lead against Mexico’s Monterrey then came unraveled in the second half, losing 2-1 in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal.Messi, who missed his fourth straight game because of a right hamstring injury, has not played since March 13, and also missed Argentina’s exhibitions last month against El Salvador and Costa Rica.It isn’t yet clear when the 36-year-old Messi will return. Inter Miami and Monterrey are scheduled to pl...
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Plymouth Argyle sack manager Ian Foster shortly after Bristol City defeat

 Ian Foster, the manager of Plymouth Argyle, is pictured during the Sky Bet Championship match between Middlesbrough and Plymouth Argyle at the Riverside Stadium in Middlesbrough, on February 24, 2024.Plymouth Argyle sacked head coach Ian Foster just hours after defeat to Bristol City.Foster was relieved of his duties on Monday night following the Robins’ 1-0 win at Home Park courtesy of Nahki Wells’ second-half header. The loss, Foster’s eighth inside the last 11 games, has left the Pilgrims just one point and one place above the Championship relegation zone.With six matches of the season remaining, and a crucial relegation encounter against Rotherham United on Saturday, the Plymouth board have acted to remove former England Under-20 coach Foster who took the job in January after ser...
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Lionel Messi will miss Miami’s game against NYCFC, could return for Champions Cup quarterfinal

Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF reacts against the Nashville SC during the first half in the Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16 match at Chase Stadium on March 13, 2024 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.Lionel Messi's hamstring injury will keep him sidelined for Inter Miami's home game against New York City FC on Saturday, but he could return for the CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal first leg against Mexico's Monterrey on April 3.After missing Saturday, Messi will have played in nine of 19 MLS matches since joining Miami last summer.“He is working with the physios," Miami coach Javier Morales said Friday, “but he won't be available because we are doing all we can to get him ready for next Wednesday. There is a possibility he will play in that game — that is what we are working for.”Messi h...
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Barcelona set up Uwcl semi-final re-match with Chelsea Women

 Aitana Bonmati of FC Barcelona celebrates after scoring the team's first goal during the Liga F match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid Femenino at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on November 19, 2023 in Barcelona, Spain. Barcelona eventually saw off SK Brann in the UEFA Women’s Champions League Quarter-Finals, while PSG went through against BK Hacken.Quarter-Finals 2nd LegBarcelona 3-1 SK Brann (Agg: 5-2)Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 BK Häcken (Agg: 5-1) Holders Barcelona will face Chelsea in the semi-finals for the second season running, with the first leg 0n 20 or 21 April, the second at Stamford Bridge a week later.Aitana Bonmati extended Barca’s lead over Brann and despite the efforts of goalkeeper Aurora Mikalsen and some loose finishing, Fridolina Rolfo doubled the advant...
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Leicester City Women sack manager Willie Kirk after allegation of relationship with player

 Leicester City Women manager Willie Kirk with Sam Tierney of Leicester City Women during the Leicester City v Chelsea FC - Barclays Women's Super League match at King Power Stadium on March 3, 2024 in Leicester, United Kingdom. Leicester City Women have sacked manager Willie Kirk following an investigation into an alleged relationship with a player.The 45-year-old was suspended from his post earlier this month, with a spokesperson for City confirming he was "assisting the club with an internal process". He has been absent from the touchline for Leicester's last three matches, with assistant manager Jennifer Foster and first-team coach Stephen Kirby taking charge of the team in his absence.And the club confirmed they have parted ways with Kirk in a statement on Thursday. "In Leic...
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Canada qualify for the 2024 CONMEBOL Copa América

 Jacob Shaffelburg #14 of Canada celebrates with teammates after scoring the second goal of his team during during Play-In - Concacaf Nations League match between Canada and Trinidad & Tobago at Toyota Stadium on March 23, 2024 in Frisco, Texas.Canada Soccer’s Men’s National Team have qualified for the CONMEBOL Copa América for the first time and they will open against the reigning FIFA World Cup champions Argentina. Canada have qualified as one of six Concacaf guest nations for the 16-nation tournament which runs from 20 June to 14 July in the United States.Drawn into Group A, Canada will face Argentina on Thursday 20 June in Atlanta, Peru on Tuesday 25 June in Kansas, and Chile on Saturday 29 June in Orlando.Alongside 10 CONMEBOL nations at the 2024 Copa América, the six Concaca...
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Gareth Southgate explains why Chelsea star Cole Palmer did not feature for England

Ivan Toney of England & Brentford, Cole Palmer of England & Chelsea, Rico Lewis of England & Manchester City during the England Men Training Session at Tottenham Hotspur Training Centre on March 25, 2024 in Enfield, England. Gareth Southgate says Cole Palmer is still in with a good chance of making England’s Euro 2024 squad and only missed out on minutes this week due to a minor injury.The Chelsea star, who has been the west London club’s standout player this season, was not included in the matchday squad against Brazil on Saturday but Southgate had hoped he would be available against Belgium.Although Palmer was on the bench on Tuesday evening, he did not get onto the pitch with Southgate instead choosing to bring on Anthony Gordon, Ollie Watkins and James Maddison as the ...
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Chelsea hold off Ajax to reach Women’s Champions League semis

Mayra Ramirez of Chelsea celebrates scoring their teams first goal during the UEFA Women's Champions League 2023/24 Quarter Final Leg Two match between Chelsea FC Women and AFC Ajax at Stamford Bridge on March 27, 2024 in London, England.Chelsea reached the Champions League semi-finals for the fifth time in their history after a 1-1 draw with Ajax at Stamford Bridge secured a comfortable 4-1 aggregate victory.The Blues entered the evening already 3-0 ahead from their first-leg victory in Amsterdam and further eased any tension when Mayra Ramirez netted her first Champions League goal to open the scoring after 33 minutes in west London.It came after a nervy start for the hosts, who narrowly avoided conceding from a first-half mishap before Chasity Grant drew Ajax level with one of few chanc...
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Euro 2024 | Ukraine, Georgia and Poland qualify after late drama in playoffs

Mykhailo Mudryk of Ukraine celebrates scoring a goal during the UEFA EURO 2024 Play-Offs final match between Ukraine and Iceland at Tarczynski Arena on March 26, 2024 in Wroclaw, Poland.Ukraine found another late winning goal in another comeback win. Georgia and Poland held their nerve in penalty shootouts. All are going to the European Championship.The 24-nation Euro 2024 lineup was finalized Tuesday with three qualifying playoffs giving a stronger eastern European flavor to the tournament that opens June 14 in Germany.Mykhailo Mudryk's sweeping low shot in the 84th minute lifted Ukraine to a 2-1 victory over Iceland and a second late comeback win in the playoffs for a team representing the war-torn country.The “home” game for Ukraine was played in neutral Poland because international gam...
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Bellingham scores late for England in Belgium draw

Bukayo Saka of England celebrates with Jude Bellingham after scoring the team's second goal during the UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying round group C match between England and Ukraine at Wembley Stadium on March 26, 2023 in London, England. Jude Bellingham's 22nd goal of a standout season has salvaged a 2-2 draw for England against Belgium and continued his outstanding form going into this year's European Championship.The Real Madrid midfielder underlined his importance to Gareth Southgate's team ahead of the Euros with a goal in the fifth minute of stoppage time at Wembley to ensure England avoided back-to-back defeats, following Saturday's 1-0 loss to Brazil.Two first-half goals from Youri Tielemans, either side of an Ivan Toney penalty, put Belgium on the verge of their first away win aga...
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Spain coach: Whistles for Morata ‘hurt my soul’

 Spain Head Coach Luis de la Fuente gestures during the friendly match between Spain and Brazil at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on March 26, 2024 in Madrid, Spain.Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said it "hurt his soul" to hear a section of the crowd at the Bernabeu stadium whistle at Álvaro Morata during Tuesday's friendly draw against Brazil.The Atletico Madrid forward, who started against Brazil, had an off night and was whistled by some fans during the game. A former Real Madrid player, Morata was booed as he was substituted in the 81st minute."It hurts my soul that in my country, the captain of the national team is being whistled at," De la Fuente said. "I feel pain. The [crowd at the] Bernabeu has been incredible, but as a Spaniard I feel ashamed when a player from Spain is whistled."...
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Lukaku fit to face England as Belgium seek improvement

 Romelu Lukaku of AS Roma celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA Europa League 2023/24 Knockout Round Play-offs First Leg match between Feyenoord and AS Roma at Feyenoord Stadium on February 15, 2024 in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Belgium's record scorer Romelu Lukaku will be fit to face England in a friendly at Wembley today and adds considerable firepower to an attack that looked devoid of ideas in the disappointing 0-0 draw with Ireland last weekend.Lukaku sat out the match in Dublin with a groin injury but is back in full training, according to manager Domenico Tedesco.“Lukaku is ready to start,” the coach told reporters yesterday, before confirming that goalkeeper Koen Casteels remains sidelined with a shoulder injury.Lukaku's 83 goals from 113 caps is 50 more ...
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Igor Stimac says he will resign if India don’t qualify for FIFA World Cup qualifiers third round

India's Croatian coach Igor Stimac looks on during the Qatar 2023 AFC Asian Cup Group B football match between Syria and India at Al-Bayt Stadium in al-Khor, north of Doha, on January 23, 2024. India men’s football team manager Igor Stimac said he will resign from the position if they fail to reach the third round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.Even before the Asian Cup got underway in January , Stimac had prioritised qualification to the third round which booked a direct entry into the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.“If I don’t take India to the third round I will leave, with my pride, with my honour on everything that was done here in the five years of work. I will leave my position to someone else,” Stimac said on Monday, on the eve of India’s home leg fixture against Afghanistan in Guw...
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Pellegrini, Barella give Italy 2-0 win over Ecuador

 Lorenzo Pellegrini of Italy celebrates with team-mates after scoring the goal during the International Friendly match between Ecuador and Italy at Red Bull Arena on March 24, 2024 in Harrison, New Jersey.An early goal from Lorenzo Pellegrini and a late strike from Nicolo Barella gave a revamped Italy side a 2-0 win over Ecuador in a friendly at Red Bull Arena in New Jersey on Sunday.Italy coach Luciano Spalletti made 11 changes to the lineup from Thursday’s 2-1 win over Venezuela, which was the first of the two matches on the U.S tour, giving more players a chance to prove themselves before the Euro 2024 finals in Germany. There was a minute’s silence in honour of Fiorentina director Joe Barone, who passed away on Tuesday.Pellegrini put Italy ahead after three minutes by smashing hom...
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Former head of Chinese Football Association sentenced to life in prison for bribery

 Chen Xuyuam, President of Chinese Football Association, and coach Gao Hongbo (L) attend a training session during the AFC U23 Championship on January 8, 2020 in Songkhla, Thailand. A court in central China's Hubei Province on Tuesday sentenced Chen Xuyuan, former head of the Chinese Football Association (CFA), to life in prison for bribery.The Huangshi Intermediate People's Court found that Chen took advantage of his various posts from 2010 to 2023, including those related to the CFA, to help others in matters regarding project contracting, investment operations, and sporting event arrangements. In return, he accepted money and valuables worth over 81 million yuan (US$11.42 million).Chen has severely harmed the order of fair competition in the football sector and brought tremend...
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Japan to advance in World Cup qualifying after game cancelled

 Ritsu Doan of Japan celebrates scoring his side's first goal with head coach Hajime Moriyasu during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group E match between Japan and Spain at Khalifa International Stadium on December 01, 2022 in Doha, Qatar.Japan look poised to reach the final stage of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup without kicking a ball after FIFA said their match at North Korea will not be rescheduled.North Korea were supposed to stage the qualifier on Tuesday in the capital Pyongyang but five days before the game officials abruptly said the isolated country could not play host without giving a reason.On Friday the Asian Football Confederation said the match was off and at the weekend FIFA said it “shall neither be played nor rescheduled”, citing lack of space in the international ...
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