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10Feb By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Monaco beats Grenoble in French Cup for eighth straight win

Monaco's Montenegrin forward Stevan Jovetic (2nd L) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the French Cup football match between Grenoble and Monaco on February 10, 2021, at the Stade des Alpes in Grenoble.PARIS — Monaco won 1-0 at second-division Grenoble in the French Cup on Wednesday to make it eight straight wins in all competitions.Attacking midfielder Stevan Jovetic scored in the first half for Niko Kovac's side. 8 – Monaco have won eight consecutive games in all competitions for the first time since October-December 1997 (also 8). DagheMunegu. #GF38ASM pic.twitter.com/B2rE1rcOcp— OptaJean (@OptaJean) February 10, 2021 Also in the round of 64, Marseille won 2-0 at second-division Auxerre to snap a seven-game winless run.Struggling striker Dario Benedetto netted just h...

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9Feb By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Manchester United’s first leg against Real Sociedad moved to Turin

Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer of Manchester United in action during a first team training session at Aon Training Complex on February 08, 2021 in Manchester, England.Manchester United’s Europa League away clash against Real Sociedad next week will now be played at Juventus’ Allianz Stadium, UEFA has announced.Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side were due to travel to Spain for the first leg of the last-32 tie on Thursday, February 18 but coronavirus restrictions in that country have forced a change.European football’s governing body have now sanctioned a switch of venue to Turin, with the date of the game and kick-off time (5.55pm GMT) remaining the same.A statement read: “UEFA would like to thank Real Sociedad de Futbol and Manchester United FC for their close co-operation and assistance in finding...

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5Feb By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Ajax and Cameroon keeper Onana given one-year ban for doping offence

Goalkeeper Andre Onana of Ajax during the Dutch Eredivisie match between Ajax and Willem II at Johan Cruijff Arena on January 28, 2021 in Amsterdam, Netherlands.Ajax and Cameroon goalkeeper Andre Onana has been banned from football for a year for a doping violation.The 24-year-old failed an out-of-competition drugs test in October when the banned substance furosemide was found in his urine sample.Ajax said Onana had mistakenly taken medication prescribed for his wife while feeling unwell.The club and Onana will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport against the suspension, imposed by Uefa.In a statement on social media, Onana said he had mistaken his wife's medicine for aspirin because the packaging was "almost identical" and called his ban "excessive and disproportionate"."Everythin...

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4Feb By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Barcelona rallies late to beat Granada, reach Copa del Rey semis

Alberto Soro and Antonio Puertas of Granada CF competes for the ball with Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona during the Copa del Rey Quarter-Final match between Granada CF and FC Barcelona at Estadio Nuevo Los Carmenes on February 03, 2021 in Granada, Spain.MADRID -- Frenkie de Jong scored the winner after Lionel Messi helped set up two late goals to force extra time as Barcelona reached the Copa del Rey semifinals with a 5-3 come-from-behind win over Granada on Wednesday.Barcelona trailed 2-0 going into the 88th minute before Messi helped create goals for Antoine Griezmann and Jordi Alba as the Catalan club kept alive its chance of ending its title drought.There were more swings in extra time as Griezmann's firm header in the 100th minute put Barcelona ahead, but a penalty committed by American...

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3Feb By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Haaland scores extra-time winner for Dortmund in German Cup

Frederic Ananou of SC Paderborn tackles Erling Haland of Borussia Dortmund during the DFB Cup Round of Sixteen match between Borussia Dortmund and SC Paderborn 07 at Signal Iduna Park on February 02, 2021 in Dortmund, Germany.Erling Braut Haaland scored an extra-time winner as Borussia Dortmund edged past second-tier Paderborn in the third round of the German Cup.Goals from Emre Can and England winger Jadon Sancho saw the hosts take charge.But goals from Julian Justvan and a Prince Osei Owusu penalty - which came deep in stoppage time after a VAR review - levelled the tie.However, 20-year-old Haaland then settled the contest after another VAR review. That took longer than we would've liked, but we're through to the next round ✅ pic.twitter.com/v03wCAmYIO— Borussia Dortmund (@BlackYellow) F...

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1Feb By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Rangers accept three-match ban for Morelos after violent conduct charge

Alfredo Morelos of Rangers celebrates scoring the opening goal during the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership match between Hibernian and Rangers at Easter Road on January 27, 2021 in Edinburgh, Scotland.Rangers have accepted a violent conduct charge against striker Alfredo Morelos.The Colombian will miss three games after the Ibrox club opted not to challenge a Scottish Football Association notice of complaint for stamping on Hibernian defender Ryan Porteous.Morelos will miss Scottish Premiership games against St Johnstone, Hamilton and Kilmarnock.The charge carries a two-game ban but the 24-year-old will serve one further match because it is his second such offence this season. He was cited for a forearm smash on Dundee United defender Mark Connolly in December.Morelos scored the only goal of...

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29Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Official: Barcelona to face Granada in Copa del Rey quarter-final

The quarter-final draw for this years’ edition of the Copa del Rey was completed on Friday morning. Barcelona will face Granada in the last eight of the competition, in a bid to lift the cup title for a record 31st time.The Catalans will travel to the new Los Carmenes to take on last season’s semifinalists. Barcelona are the clear favourites out of all the teams remaining in the competition after both Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid bowed out in previous round upsets. Barcelona took a trip to Granada just a couple of weeks ago in La Liga, with the match ending in a resounding 4-0 win for the visitors.Barcelona first beat UE Cornella in the Round of 32 after extra time, followed by Rayo Vallecano in the Round of 16. Granada, en-route to the quarters have had to win 4 games. They have picked...

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28Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Ronaldo Under Investigation for Violating Travelling Restrictions

Cristiano Ronaldo of Juventus Fc celebrate during the Serie A match between Juventus Fc and Bologna Fc. Juventus Fc wins 2-0 over Bologna Fc.While his teammates where breezing past SPAL in the Coppa Italia’s quarter-finals on Wednesday night, Cristiano Ronaldo, who was given the day off, spent the day with his girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez in Courmayeur, a renowned skiing destination. However, he may have broken the travelling restrictions imposed by the government due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the local authorities are looking into the matter, news agency Ansa reported.In order to contain the spread of the disease, it is currently allowed to leave the region where one is located only for some limited exceptions, like for work or for an emergency, and not for recreational purposes....

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28Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Copa del Rey: Lionel Messi scores on return from suspension to guide Barcelona to win over Rayo Vallecano

Santi Comesana of Rayo Vallecano and Lionel Messi of FC Barcelonain action during the spanish cup, Copa del Rey, football match played Rayo Vallecano and FC Barcelona at Estadio de Vallecas on January 27, 2021 in Madrid, Spain.Madrid: Lionel Messi marked his return from suspension with a goal in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday as Barcelona survived a scare against Rayo Vallecano to reach the quarter-finals.With Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid already out, another upset looked on the cards when Fran Garcia gave Rayo a surprise lead at Vallecas early in the second half.But Messi tapped in Antoine Griezmann's pass to equalise before turning creator, sending Jordi Alba through, with Frenkie de Jong at the back post to seal a 2-1 victory.Rayo sit fourth in Segunda, Spain's second tier, after bein...

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24Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Monaco hands Marseille another defeat, Nice wins

Monaco's Chilean defender Guillermo Maripan (L) celebrates after scoring a goal during the French L1 football match Monaco and Marseille at "Louis II" stadium in Monaco, on January 23, 2021.PARIS — Improving Monaco beat Marseille 3-1 in the French league on Saturday for a fifth win in six games, while the struggling visitors slipped to a fourth straight defeat despite taking an early lead.After defender Guillermo Maripan equalized for Monaco, midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni headed in the second goal and forward Stevan Jovetic thumped in a superb angled free kick in the last minute to complete what ended up as a comfortable win.Fourth-place Monaco moved one point behind third-place Lyon, which plays on Sunday, while Marseille remains in sixth spot.Arkadiusz Milik started on the bench for Mar...

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20Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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FA Cup: Southampton to face Arsenal in fourth round after seeing off Shrewsbury 2-0

James Ward-Prowse of Southampton battles for possession with Shaun Whalley of Shrewsbury Town during the FA Cup Third Round match between Southampton and Shrewsbury Town on January 19, 2021 in Southampton, England.Southampton will be at home to holders Arsenal in the fourth round of the FA Cup following a 2-0 win over coronavirus -hit Shrewsbury on Tuesday.Dan N'Lundulu marked his first senior start for the Saints with a maiden goal for the club in the 17th minute at their St Mary's ground before England's James Ward-Prowse put the result beyond doubt a minute from time.The Saints will have little time to enjoy this victory as their tie with Arsenal, a repeat of the 2003 FA Cup final won 1-0 by the Gunners, takes place at St Mary's on Saturday.Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl, who made...

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17Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Spanish Super Cup: Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman hopeful on Lionel Messi’s fitness for final

Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona looks on during the training session ahead of the Supercopa de Espana Final match against Athletic Club at Estadio de La Cartuja on January 16, 2021 in Seville, Spain.Seville: Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman says he is optimistic Lionel Messi will be fit for Sunday's Spanish Super Cup final against Athletic Bilbao after injury forced him to miss the semi-final.The Argentina forward was left out of the squad for Wednesday's penalty shootout victory over Real Sociedad after complaining of discomfort during last week's 4-0 La Liga win over Granada."He trained on his own yesterday (Friday). We have a session this evening, he wants to train, so we'll see how he feels afterwards and if he wants to play or not," Koeman told a news conference on Saturday in Seville."Tomo...

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15Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Pochettino starts to make mark as PSG eye top spot

Kylian Mbappe of Paris Saint-Germain speaks with head coach Mauricio Pochettino during the Champions Trophy match between Paris Saint-Germain and Olympique de Marseille at Stade Bollaert-Delelis on January 13, 2021 in Lens, France.Mauricio Pochettino needed less than two weeks to win his first trophy with Paris Saint-Germain but his new team are still doing the chasing in Ligue 1, a point behind leaders Lyon heading into the second half of the season.PSG go to Angers on Saturday fresh from beating Marseille 2-1 in Lens in midweek to win the Champions Trophy, the traditional curtain-raiser to the French season moved to the middle of winter as a consequence of the coronavirus pandemic's impact on football.The game conveniently came just 11 days after Pochettino returned to the club where he ...

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14Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Holders Bayern knocked out of German Cup by second tier Kiel

13 January 2021, Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel: Football: DFB Cup, Holstein Kiel - Bayern Munich, 2nd round at Holstein Stadium. Kiel's Hauke Wahl (l) and Munich's Serge Gnabry in action.Holders Bayern Munich twice gave up a one-goal lead before crashing out of the German Cup 6-5 on penalties to second tier Holstein Kiel on Wednesday following a 2-2 draw after extra time in the second-round match.Both sides converted all five spot-kicks before Bayern's Marc Roca had his effort saved and Fin Bartels slotted in the winning penalty.The Bavarians went ahead through Serge Gnabry in the 14th minute and Thomas Mueller should have doubled the lead when he fired over the bar from three meters out."We lost to the underdogs Kiel and they did everything they could," Mueller said. "We had chances in the fir...

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8Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Former FIFA chair Blatter taken to hospital

Former president of World football's governing body FIFA, Sepp Blatter speaks to a journalist as he arrives at the building of the Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland to a hearing summoned by Swiss prosecutor on September 1, 2020 in Bern.A former FIFA president, Sepp Blatter has been in hospital as his health got worse, Swiss daily Blick reported on Friday."My father is in the hospital. He is getting better every day. But he needs time and rest," his daughter, Corinne Blatter Andenmatten said.The 84-year-old was treated in intensive care in 2015 over an immune system disorder.Blatter was a longtime FIFA chief, he served between the years 1998 and 2015.In December 2015, Blatter was suspended from football related activities for eight years for abusing his position. Former FIFA pre...

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7Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Copa del Rey: Atletico Madrid dumped out of domestic cup by third-division Cornella

Madrid: La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid crashed out of the Copa del Rey on Wednesday after suffering a shock second-round 1-0 defeat by third-division Cornella.Cornella sit seventh in their Segunda B division, Spain's third tier, but deserved a historic win thanks to a volleyed finish by Adrian Jimenez in the seventh minute.Atleti's task became tougher when 20-year-old Ricard Sanchez was sent off in the 63rd minute, while Saul Niguez had hit the crossbar in the first half.Diego Simeone also left out some key players including Luis Suarez, Koke, Marcos Llorente and Yannick Carrasco, with Joao Felix taken off in the second half when they needed an equaliser.But Atletico also struggled for fluency and chances against a far less prestigious opponent. "We apologise to the fans," said Saul. "We ...

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25Dec By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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FIFA chief Infantino to speak at Dubai International Sports Conference

Robert Lewandowski of FC Bayern Muenchen receives the FIFA Men's Player 2020 trophy by FIFA president Gianni Infantino during the FIFA The BEST Awards ceremony on December 17, 2020 in Munich, Germany.FIFA President Gianni Infantino will deliver the keynote address at Dubai International Sports Conference scheduled to be held at at Armani Hotel in Burj Khalifa on Sunday.Juventus and Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo, Spain and Real Madrid goalkeeping legend Iker Casillas, and Bayern Munich’s top scorer FIFA Players of the Year award winner Robert Lewandowski will also speak at the conference.A Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiative, this year’s Dubai International Sports Conference is taking place on Dec.27 at Armani Hotel in Burj Khalifa, under the theme ‘Football at the Top’.Infan...

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24Dec By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Ligue 1: PSG sack manager Thomas Tuchel, Mauricio Pochettino set to take over, say reports

Thomas Tuchel, coach of PSG, during the post-match press conference following the Ligue 1 match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and RC Strasbourg at Parc des Princes stadium on December 23, 2020 in Paris, France.Paris: Paris Saint-Germain have fired their coach Thomas Tuchel with former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino lined up as his replacement, according to various media reports on Thursday.The French champions declined to make any comment when contacted by AFP to confirm the reports carried by L'Equipe newspaper and RMC and German tabloid Bild.The 47-year-old German arrived at the Parc des Princes on a two-year contract in 2018, and guided PSG to their first-ever Champions League final last season.But now, if the reports are confirmed, less than three months on from that final agai...

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23Dec By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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FIFA files criminal complaint against ex-president Sepp Blatter over loss-making museum in Zurich

Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter poses during a photo session, past the city of Zurich, after an interview with news agencies on April 21, 2017 in Zurich.Geneva: FIFA has filed a criminal complaint against former president Sepp Blatter over the finances of its loss-making football museum in Zurich.FIFA said on Tuesday it suspected “criminal mismanagement by FIFA’s former management and companies appointed by them” to work on the museum — long seen as a pet project of Blatter’s — in a renovated and rented city center building.The FIFA World Football Museum opened in 2016 after $140 million of football money was spent refurbishing the 1970s office building to also include 34 rental apartments.It was intended to open around May 2015, when Blatter won a fifth presidential election, but was d...

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22Dec By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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European football matchday: Manchester City take on Arsenal in English League Cup; Real Sociedad host Atlético Madrid

Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City gives their team instructions as Ralph Hasenhuttl, Manager of Southampton looks on during the Premier League match between Southampton and Manchester City at St Mary's Stadium on December 19, 2020 in Southampton, England.A look at what’s happening around European football on Tuesday:EnglandThe English League Cup reaches the quarterfinals stage this week and Manchester City is closing in on another slice of history under Pep Guardiola. City's players lifted the trophy for the third consecutive year last season and are three matches away from winning four in a row, which will match the achievement of Liverpool in the 1980s. Arsenal is City's opponent in the last eight in the latest head-to-head between Guardiola and the man who was his assistant at C...

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