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1Jul By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

PSG announce the signing of former Wolves flop Vitinha on a five-year deal

 Vitor Ferreira of FC Porto celebrates after scoring a goal during the Taca de Portugal Final match between FC Porto and CD Tondela at Estadio Nacional on May 22, 2022 in Oeiras, Portugal.Paris Saint-Germain have signed midfielder Vitinha from Porto on a five-year contract, the Ligue 1 champions said on Thursday. The 22-year-old, the first signing of the summer for PSG, has joined the French side for a fee of about €40million euros (£34.4m), local media reports said. Vitinha made a total of 59 appearances and scored four goals for the Portuguese club since his professional debut in 2020. He helped Porto win the league title last season as well as two domestic cups and has also been capped three times by Portugal. 'A great challenge awaits me and I cannot wait to sta...

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1Jul By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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FIFA lifts Pakistan suspension

  FIFA President Gianni Infantino (l) gets into his waiting vehicle after a tour of the Doha Exhibition & Convention Center (DECC) in the West Bay district. The DECC will host the Fifa Congress on March 31 and the group draw for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar on April 1. Football’s world governing body FIFA on Thursday lifted the suspension imposed on Pakistan and extended the mandate of normalisation committee for a year. FIFA took the decision after all pertinent requirements were fulfilled by Pakistan, who now will not only return to the international football circuit but will also be able to hold its leagues and other events through the financial assistance of FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). “The Bureau of the FIFA Council decided on June 29, 2022 to ...

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27Jun By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Nice hire Favre as Galtier heads for PSG

 (From L/R) Nice's French club president Jean Pierre Rivere and Nice's Swiss new coach Lucien Favre pose after a press conference in Nice, southeastern France, on June 27, 2022. French club Nice have hired Lucien Favre as coach, replacing Christophe Galtier who is expected to take over at Paris Saint-Germain. Nice said Favre returned on Monday after a first spell, from 2016-18, that was "engraved in the history" of the club. Favre's first season ended with a third-place finish in Ligue 1 and entry into the Champions League qualifying rounds. Nice owner Jim Ratcliffe said in a letter to fans that Favre commanded "respect and admiration" and his preferred style of play fits perfectly with what the club wants. After two years at Nice, Favre was lured to Borussia Dortmund where h...

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24Jun By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Mason Greenwood remains on bail over rape and assault allegations

 Mason Greenwood of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Brentford and Manchester United at Brentford Community Stadium on January 19, 2022 in Brentford, England. Manchester United's Mason Greenwood remains on bail following Thursday's hearing over allegations he raped and assaulted a woman. Greenwood, 20, was arrested on January 31 on suspicion of rape and assault. He was further arrested on February 1 on suspicion of sexual assault and making threats to kill. A Greater Manchester Police statement published on Friday said: “Following a hearing yesterday (Thursday 23 June 2022), a 20-year-old man arrested on suspicion of rape, assault and making threats to kill on Sunday 30 January 2022 remains on bail.“As the outcome of bail reviews does not impact the pro...

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23Jun By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Infantino stresses Qatar’s readiness for World Cup

 Gianni Infantino and Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final Draw at Doha Exhibition Center on April 1, 2022 in Doha, Qatar.FIFA President Gianni Infantino has once again emphasised the impressive state of readiness for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. While speaking at the just-concluded Qatar Economic Forum, Powered by Bloomberg, yesterday, the world football governing body head said infrastructure, accommodation and other mechanisms are in line to give fans a memorable experience.“I think the whole country here and more of the whole region is tuning in for this World Cup. The stadiums are all ready one year before the World Cup, which is unique,” Infantino said.“I am now in this business for the last couple of decades; I’ve never seen such a state of...

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23Jun By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Maradona’s medical personnel to face trial

 Diego Maradona, head coach of Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata, gestures before a match between Aldosivi and Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata as part of Superliga 2019/20 at Estadio Jose Maria Minella on November 10, 2019 in Mar del Plata, Argentina.An Argentinian judge has ruled the eight medical personnel involved in the care of late football legend Diego Maradona will face a public trial for criminal negligence. Brain surgeon Leopoldo Luque and psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov are among those who will stand trial for homicide, the judge ruled. The trial is not expected to begin until the end of 2023 or early 2024. The defendants are accused of failing to take proper care of Maradona when he was recovering from surgery, which led to his death. Maradona died aged 60 on November 25, 2020 due...

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23Jun By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Bale signs up as R&A Global Ambassador

 Gareth Bale of Wales during the UEFA Nations League League A Group 4 match between Wales and Netherlands at Feijenoord Stadion on June 14, 2022 in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Footballer Gareth Bale has agreed to become a global ambassador for The R&A in support of its activities to inspire new audiences around the world to play golf. The Wales international, who has amassed over 100 million followers on social media, will join Niall Horan and Modest! Golf in backing a drive to encourage more people to play golf. Bale said: “Golf is an amazing sport, and it has always been an ambition of mine to encourage more people to take it up. This is a really exciting move by The R&A and I’m honoured to be able to play my part in their efforts to inspire people of all ages to give gol...

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21Jun By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Samuel Eto’o: Former Cameroon and Barcelona forward pleads guilty to £3.2m tax fraud

Former soccer player Samuel Eto'o (l) and his lawyer, as he leaves the City of Justice of Barcelona, on 20 June, 2022 in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. Former Cameroon forward Samuel Eto'o has pleaded guilty to a £3.2m tax fraud relating to his image rights while playing for Barcelona.The four-time African footballer of the year was given a 22-month suspended prison sentence when he appeared at court in Spain on Monday.He must repay the money he owes, along with a fine of £1.55m.Prosecutors accused Eto'o of failing to declare income from the transfer of image rights between 2006 and 2009.Eto'o is the latest in a long list of foreign players and managers to have been prosecuted for tax fraud in Spain in recent years, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Jose Mourinho and Neymar.The...

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21Jun By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Ryan Giggs: Ex-Man Utd winger resigns as Wales manager

Ryan Giggs leaves Manchester Crown Court after appearing for a plea and trial preparation hearing on May 28, 2021 in Manchester, England.Ryan Giggs has resigned as Wales manager "with immediate effect".The former Manchester United winger, 48, stepped away from his role in November 2020 after being arrested.Giggs was later charged with using controlling behaviour and assaulting his ex-girlfriend, charges he has denied.Robert Page took over as interim Wales boss in Giggs' absence, leading them to a first World Cup finals since 1958.In a statement, Giggs said: "After much consideration, I am standing down from my position as manager of the Wales men's national team with immediate effect."It has been an honour and a privilege to manage my country, but it is only right that the Wales FA, the co...

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19Jun By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Kylian Mbappe: I wanted to quit France national team

Kylian Mbappe during Austria vs France, UEFA Nations League, group A1, Ernst-Happel-Stadium in Vienna, 10 June 2022, Austria.Kylian Mbappe has said he almost quit the France national team after receiving racist abuse following his penalty miss at Euro 2020.The world champions were eliminated by Switzerland at the round of 16 stage last June after Mbappe's spot kick was saved by Yann Sommer during a shootout.French Football Federation president Noel Le Graet claimed in a newspaper interview released on Sunday that Mbappe was thinking about retiring from international football after the tournament because of the lack of support he received following the crucial penalty miss.Le Graet said: “I met with him after the Euros, he felt the Federation had not defended him after his missed penalty an...

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19Jun By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Road to Qatar: how England qualified for World Cup 2022

 England Manager Gareth Southgate looks on during a training session at The Sir Jack Hayward Training Ground on June 13, 2022 in Burton-upon-Trent, England.After reaching the semi-finals and then the final of their previous two major tournaments, England will be hoping to go one better at this year's World Cup in Qatar. Gareth Southgate's side reached the last four in the 2018 World Cup in Russia, where they lost 2-1 to Croatia, and were beaten by Italy in a penalty shoot-out at last year's delayed Euro 2020. Qualification for this year's global gathering in the Middle East was achieved comfortably as they finished top of Group I, six points clear of second-placed Poland and unbeaten over the course of 10 matches. The Three Lions smashed in 39 goals along the way, co...

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17Jun By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Mauricio Pochettino career at crossroads after paying price for Euro failure at PSG

 PSG Head Coach Mauricio Pochettino during the Ligue 1 Uber Eats match between RC Strasbourg and Paris Saint-Germain at Stade de la Meinau on April 29, 2022 in Strasbourg, France.Mauricio Pochettino’s second departure from Paris Saint-Germain, where he was on Thursday finalising the pay-off for severing his contract as manager, feels a little like his first. He was captain 19 years ago when he played his last match for the club, came tantalisingly close to fulfilment in it, but left deeply disappointed. In the 2003 French Cup final against Auxerre, PSG took an early lead. Fourteen minutes from time, a lob over the head of Pochettino invited the Auxerre striker Djibril Cisse to equalise. With a minute of normal time left, he was slumped to his knees as Auxerre scored a second. “We ca...

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17Jun By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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‘We can win it’ – Kane on England’s 2022 World Cup chances

Harry Kane of England celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA Nations League League A Group 3 match between Germany and England at Allianz Arena on June 7, 2022 in Munich, Germany.England captain Harry Kane said at a TOCA promotional event that England "need to be confident" they can "win" the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. "For sure, we still have some improvement to do, some learning to do, and we will try and achieve that from now until the World Cup. But when we are there (in Qatar), yeah, we need to be confident that we can win it," Kane said about England's chances at the World Cup. Gareth Southgate's side reached the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, and lost out on penalties in the Euro 2020 final to Italy last year. But England have experienced ...

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17Jun By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Toronto, Vancouver among host cities for 2026 World Cup

 European Qualifiers logo is seen on the official ball during training session on the eve of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group H european qualification football match between Russia and Cyprus on November 10, 2021 at Gazprom Arena in Saint Petersburg, Russia.Toronto and Vancouver will hold games at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while Edmonton was left out in the cold. Thursday in New York, FIFA announced the 16 host cities from 22 final candidates across the United States, Canada and Mexico. BMO Field in Toronto and BC Place in Vancouver made the cut, while Commonwealth Stadium was passed over. “We are very proud of Canada’s candidate host cities for putting together substantial and compelling bids for the FIFA World Cup 2026,” said Canada Soccer president Dr. Nick Bontis in a stateme...

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16Jun By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Gareth Southgate has earned time to solve England’s problems

 Harry Maguire of England comes on the replace Bukayo Saka as England Manager Gareth Southgate looks on during the UEFA Nations League League A Group 3 match between England and Hungary at Molineux on June 14, 2022 in Wolverhampton, United Kingdom.The Three Lions’ 6-3 loss to the Ferenc Puskas-inspired Mighty Magyars at Wembley in 1953, their first home defeat to non-British or Irish opposition, stunned the nation. A bit like Tuesday. It was the catalyst to a major rethink in terms of tactics. In this instance, England’s latest humiliating result against Hungary – and heaviest on home soil since 1928 – will not necessitate a rip-it-up-and-start-again approach and nor should it. At the very least, it should ring the alarm bells in a World Cup year and a change of...

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16Jun By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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FIFA set to announce US stadiums to host 2026 World Cup games

  A general view of the MetLife Stadium, located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, 8 miles outside of New York City, home of NFL teams the New York Giants and New York Jets.As FIFA prepares to announce the 2026 World Cup sites on Thursday — and make high-profile cuts — Alan Rothenberg thought back to when stadiums were picked for the 1994 tournament he headed in the United States. “They gave the rights to the host country, and the host country basically ran the whole thing,” he said. “Here, everything is done in-house by FIFA. So it’s been a really long and arduous process. The terms have been incredibly difficult for cities to cope with.” Seventeen stadiums in 16 areas remained in contention to be among 10-12 selected from the U.S. for the tournament, which will b...

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15Jun By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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La Liga file complaints against Man City and PSG

The Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain club badges on their first team home shirts on March 30, 2021 in Manchester, United Kingdom.La Liga have filed a complaint against Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City after accusing the two clubs of “continuously breaching financial fair play regulations”.PSG and City have both either retained or signed players that Real Madrid wanted to buy this summer. Kylian Mbappe elected to sign a new contract with PSG rather than move to Real, while City beat the Spanish club to the signing of Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund.La Liga have now filed complaints to UEFA, alleging the two clubs of “irregular financing”. The complaint against City was lodged in April, while the one in reference to PSG was put in this week.A statement from La Liga read: ...

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14Jun By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Canada falls to Honduras in CONCACAF Nations League play

Jonathan David of Canada during the Canada v Curacao CONCACAF Nations League Group C match at BC Place on June 9, 2022 in Vancouver, Canada.Canada controlled the ball 62 per cent of the night Tuesday but had trouble scoring on the rain-soaked pitch, while Honduras made the best of its limited opportunities in defeating the visitors 2-1 in CONCACAF Nations League play at Estadio Olimpico.Kevin Josue Lopez scored in the 13th minute for the home side, while teammate Kervin Arriage added an insurance marker in the 78th minute. Jonathan David scored for Canada in the 86th minute.Canada had nine shot attempts but only two on target, while Honduras was limited to six shots with three on target. Each team received 16 fouls. Canada had one red card to Alistair Johnston in the fourth minute of injur...

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14Jun By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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England happy to see end of long season in sight as they face yet another Hungary test

England Manager Gareth Southgate and Harry Kane of England speak to the media during a press conference at The Sir Jack Hayward Training Ground on June 13, 2022 in Burton-upon-Trent, England.The good news for England manager Gareth Southgate is that Hungary will not be at the World Cup finals in Qatar. Four fixtures against the same opposition, two of them stained by racist abuse of his players, is quite enough in the space of 10 congested months, especially when matches against the Hungarians now act as a clear gauge of England’s diminishing potency. Last September, Southgate took England to Budapest for a World Cup qualifier. It was their first outing since a historic high, a first major tournament final since the World Cup in 1966, and if the experience in the final of the delayed Euro...

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14Jun By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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France dethroned after Croatia home defeat

 Luka Modric of Croatia and Kylian Mbappe of France fight for possession during the UEFA Nations League League A Group 1 match between France and Croatia at Stade de France on June 13, 2022 in Paris, France.Defending champions France have lost their Nations League title and face the dim prospect of relegation after losing 1-0 at home to Croatia. The visitors scored with a fifth-minute penalty from standout midfielder Luka Modric at the Stade de France on Monday night. It is where he played so commandingly for Champions League winners Real Madrid in the final just over two weeks ago, and he belied his advancing years with a display full of astute passing and clever movement into space. In Copenhagen meanwhile, goals by Jonas Older Wind and Andreas Skov Olsen saw group leaders Denmark...

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