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CAF Champions League Final to be Replayed

The second leg of the African Champions League final will be replayed after the original fixture was abandoned and the match awarded to Esperance of Tunisia when Wydad Casablanca left the pitch following a disputed decision. The Confederation of African Football’s executive committee, meeting in Paris on the fringes of the Fifa congress, decided on Wednesday to restage the match at a neutral ground in a decision that could spark an immediate legal challenge. Wydad Casablanca refused to play on after having a 59th-minute effort disallowed in the return leg of the final in Tunis last Friday. The VAR system was not working and after a delay of almost two hours the match was awarded to the home side Esperance, who were handed the trophy and winners’ medals. The first leg in Casablanca on 25 Ma...
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Neymar Ruled Out of Copa America

Neymar has been ruled out of Brazil's 2019 Copa America campaign after rupturing ankle ligaments in a friendly against Qatar on Wednesday. The Paris Saint-Germain star started in a front three alongside Richarlison and Gabriel Jesus as Brazil began preparations for this summer's South American tournament. But Neymar was forced out after just 21 minutes after suffering an apparent right ankle injury in a tackle. The Brazil star was seen crying on the bench after suffering the injury and was helped down to the dressing room with the assistance of team personnel. Neymar was replaced by Everton Soares in the Brazil lineup and the CBF has confirmed Neymar has suffered a twisted ankle.
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Falcao Plays Down Copa America Injury Fears

Radamel Falcao insisted the injury that forced him off the field at half-time of Colombia's 3-0 friendly victory over Panama was "nothing to worry about". The Monaco forward scored Colombia's third goal from the penalty spot at Estadio Nemesio Camacho El Campin, but was replaced by Duvan Zapata at half-time. Falcao scored 15 goals in 33 Ligue 1 appearances for Monaco in 2018-19, and his contract at the principality club expires in 2020. After being hauled off against Panama, he said: "I'm fine, it was just part of the game. But there's nothing to worry about. It was just a knock." Colombia and Falcao will have one more warm-up game before this month’s Copa America in Brazil, where they will be looking to add to their solitary title won in 2001.
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Brazil Coach Tite: "I Refuse to Comment on Neymar Rape Allegations"

Brazil head coach Tite has refused to pass judgement on rape allegations that “indispensable” Neymar strenuously denied ahead of Copa America. “First of all, I know the importance of the subject, the real extent of it,” Tite told a press conference on Monday. “The subject is a personal one and there will be time for people to judge the facts. For now, I won't allow myself to judge. “What I can say is that, in three years together, in our discussions about personal subjects, he was always loyal and truthful." “I cannot comment or cross any lines – I have a lot of energy to spend on what is essential and important, on preparing the team." “If I keep searching and making assumptions it will consume energy and take me away from what I should be focusing on. I want to focus on my work. I had tw...
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Neymar Resumes Brazil Training After Injury Scare

Neymar resumed Brazil training on Friday, easing fears over the star forward's knee injury. The Paris Saint-Germain forward, 27, limped out of training earlier in the week, but returned to action in a boost for the South American giants. Brazil face Qatar in a friendly on Wednesday before taking on Honduras in their final game before the Copa America. Neymar's fitness is crucial for Brazil, who are hosting the Copa America and meet Bolivia, Venezuela and Peru in Group A. Brazil are searching for their first Copa America title since 2007, with Chile the reigning champions after successfully defending their title in 2016. The forward is third in the nation's all-time goal-scoring list with 60, behind only Pele (77) and Ronaldo (62).
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Messi Unsure About Playing 2022 World Cup

Argentina star Lionel Messi has admitted that he is unsure if he will be able to play at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Messi will be 34 when the tournament kicks off, with Argentina still in search of their first World Cup title since Diego Maradona led them to glory in 1986. The Barcelona star has won all there is to win at the individual and club level in his career, but is still chasing an elusive major senior trophy with his country. The 31-year-old will have another chance to finally win a major trophy with his country this summer when the Copa America takes place in Brazil. Messi has said that he still hopes to win a first major trophy with the Albiceleste. "I want to finish my career having won something with the Argentine national team, or if not having tried as many times as possib...
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Norway's Haland Breaks U20 World Cup Record with 9 Goal

It’s perhaps not a surprise that Norway’s Erling Braut Haland is excelling at the Under-20 World Cup. He has the genetics – his father is former Man City and Leeds player Alf-Inge Haland – and the size – at 6ft 3in he towers over many of the other players at the tournament.But few would have predicted he would score nine goals in a single match, as he did against Honduras on Thursday.Norway’s 12-0 win was the largest in Under-20 World Cup history and his nine goals were the most ever in a single match by one player in the tournament. Only once in the history of the U-20 World Cup has a player scored more than nine in an entire tournament. Honduras played some of the match with nine players after two red cards.Manchester United, Juventus and Borussia Dortmund have all been linked with Halan...
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Neymar Limps Out of Brazil Training

Neymar limped out of Brazil training on Tuesday, with the 27-year-old appearing to have suffered an injury to his left knee.While attempting a shot Neymar came off favouring his knee and, after trying to continue training, he eventually was forced to limp off the field alongside team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar.According to the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), Neymar has already begun treatment for the injury and will remain under evaluation.The injury will be a major concern for the Selecao as they get ready to host the Copa America, with their opening match set to take place against Bolivia in Sao Paulo on June 14.Before then Brazil will face Qatar on June 5 and Honduras four days later in a pair of friendlies, before taking on the Bolivians, Venezuela and Peru in Copa America group pla...
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Marseille Unveil Andres Villas-Boas as New Manager

Former Chelsea and Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas has returned to management at Marseille on a two-year contract.The Portuguese has spent 18 months away from the dugout.His last role came in China with Shanghai SIPG, but he walked away from that post in November 2017.Marseille owner Frank McCourt told the club’s official website of Villas-Boas’ arrival: “We are delighted to hire a coach whose success is recognised at the highest level in Europe and worldwide.“Andre Villas-Boas' philosophy and approach to the game aligns with what we want for OM and will help revitalise our project after a disappointing campaign.“Our expectations are still great and we are making the changes necessary to achieve our goals.”
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Xavi Named Head Coach of Qatari club Al Sadd

Former Barcelona and Spain midfielder Xavi has been appointed head coach of Qatari club Al Sadd SC, the team for which he hass made more than 100 appearances as a player.Xavi would replace Jesualdo Ferreira as manager at the start of next season.Xavi, a World Cup winner in 2010, won eight La Liga titles and four Champions League trophies at Barcelona.On his coaching style, Xavi said, "My philosophy as a coach reflects the style we developed for many years under the influence of Johan Cruyff and La Masia, and that has its greatest exponent in the way of playing football in Barcelona."I love seeing teams take the initiative on the field, attack football and return to the essence of what we all love from our childhood days - possession football, " he added.
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Dani Alves to Replace Neymar as Brazil Captain

Neymar will not captain Brazil during next month's Copa America, with Dani Alves handed the armband for the showpiece South American tournament on home soil.In a statement released on Monday, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) said: "The decision was communicated to Neymar by Tite on Saturday."The announcement comes after a turbulent end to the season for Neymar at Ligue 1 champions PSG, where coach Thomas Tuchel has ruled out the former Barcelona star becoming captain.Neymar is set to serve a three-match ban for striking an opposition supporter after last month's Coupe de France defeat against Rennes.The Brazilan star scored scored 23 goals in all competitions this season after recovering from a foot injury with 15 goals coming in Ligue 1 play.
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Tuchel Can't Promise Mbappe and Neymar Stay

Paris Saint-Germain will fight to keep Kylian Mbappe and Neymar at the club during this summer's transfer window, but Thomas Tuchel isn't making any promises.The coach will be remaining at the Parc des Princes after signing a new contract, but doesn't want to speculate on the futures of his players."There is a lot of speculation which means we have a lot of quality and talent," he said at the Monaco Grand Prix, when interviewed by Sky Sports."My wish as a manager and as a coach is clear, as I want all my players to stay at PSG and stay with our project."The work is not finished, it has just started."My wish is clear, but I can't promise it as that would be naïve and I don't want to be naïve in this business."
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Tuchel Expects to Stay at PSG Next Season

Thomas Tuchel expects to still be Paris Saint-Germain head coach next season, but he acknowledges the situation could "change every day".PSG won the Ligue 1 title, but crashed out of the Champions League and Coupe de la Ligue early, as well as losing the Coupe de France final to Rennes on penalties.The shoot-out defeat to Rennes came in the final weeks of the season as PSG won just three of 10 matches in all competitions, also including Friday's 3-1 loss at Reims.Champions PSG were completely outplayed away from home in their last game of the campaign, yet Tuchel was positive for the future at full-time."I think I can say yes [I will stay]," Tuchel told a post-match news conference. "But, in football, it can change every day."You often ask me, but I am here. If it changes, it will not be d...
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Monaco Scrape to Ligue 1 Survival

Monaco have secured Ligue 1 survival despite failing to get the point they needed to guarantee safety on the final day, instead ending a dreadful season with a 2-0 defeat in Nice.Leonardo Jardim’s men knew only an improbable set of results – defeat at Nice, victory for Caen and an eight-goal swing – could send them into a relegation play-off after last week’s vital home win over fellow strugglers Amiens.Jardim had urged his side to keep their fate in their own hands, and Cesc Fabregas hit the crossbar after 12 minutes – but Benoit Badiashile’s own goal left them relying on Bordeaux to put in a performance against Caen.Mickael Le Bihan doubled Nice’s lead after 67 minutes from the penalty spot, but Younousse Sankhare’s opener for Bordeaux proved enough to save last season’s runners-up and r...
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Wenger Eyeing Return to Football

Arsene Wenger is eager to return to football, but the former Arsenal boss is unsure if his comeback will be in management.Wenger, 69, ended a 22-year stay with the Premier League side at the end of last season before stepping away from management for this campaign.The Frenchman, who has reportedly turned down numerous opportunities, said he would return, although he is unsure in just what role."I will go back into football, for sure," Wenger told The Guardian."In what position I don't know, whether that is as a manager or not. The appetite, the desire, is still there."Wenger, who also managed Nancy, Monaco and Nagoya Grampus Eight during his career, said he would quickly decide what kind of position he wanted for his first job away from the Gunners since 1996."Originally I said I want to m...
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Marcelo Lippi Named China Coach Again

Marcello Lippi has been named coach of China for a second stint as they prepare for 2022 World Cup qualifying.The former Italy and Juventus boss was at the helm of China for more than two years before leaving the post in January following a quarter-final exit at the Asian Cup.He was replaced by Fabio Cannavaro, who stepped down last month to focus on coaching Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao.The Chinese Football Association (CFA) confirmed on Friday it had once again appointed Lippi.Lippi led Juventus to five Serie A titles in two stints with the club, also claiming the 1995-96 Champions League during his time with the Italian club.He also led Italy to the team's 2006 World Cup triumph, becoming the first coach to win both a World Cup and a Champions League title as a manager.
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Arthur and Philippe Coutinho in Brazil Squad for Copa America

Barcelona duo Arthur and Philippe Coutinho have both been called up to the Brazil squad by manager Tite for this summer’s Copa America.The two players are part of a 23-man squad for the summer tournament that takes place in Brazil and kicks off on June 14.Brazil will play Bolivia, Venezuela and Peru in Group A and will be expected to come out on top and progress to the knockout stages.Indeed Tite’s side will be favourites to claim glory on home soil and lift the trophy for the ninth time.
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Ajax wins Dutch title, enters Champions League prelim rounds

Ajax clinched its 34th Dutch league title on Wednesday, one week after a last-minute loss to Tottenham in the Champions League semifinals.A 4-1 win at struggling De Graafschap secured Ajax’s first league title since 2014, three points clear of runner-up PSV Eindhoven which beat visiting Heracles 3-1.The title had been all-but sealed in Sunday’s round of games.Even as title winner, Ajax must again enter the Champions League qualifying rounds, needing to eliminate two opponents to reach the lucrative group stage.PSV will start one round earlier, needing to beat three opponents, just as Ajax did last year to get into this season’s Champions League.
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Adidas extends Partnership With Real Madrid until 2028

Adidas will extend its sponsorship of Spanish soccer side Real Madrid until 2028, the German sportswear firm said on Wednesday, as it battles fierce competition in Europe from Nike and a resurgent Puma.Adidas has seen its leadership in soccer eroded in recent years by the advance of its bigger U.S. competitor Nike, which sponsors Real Madrid's arch rivals Barcelona and is reportedly in talks with Liverpool, second in the English Premier League."This agreement will help us to achieve our mission to be the best sports company in the world. It also underpins Adidas' leadership in the football category," Chief Executive Kasper Rorsted said in a statement.Adidas did not give any financial details of the deal with Real, which is currently ranked third in Spain's La Liga and made an early ex...
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Benfica knock out of Europa League in Germany

Eintracht Frankfurt defeated Benfica 2-0 at the Waldstadion to advance to the UEFA Europa League semi-finals.An offside Filip Kostic goal and Sebastian Rode strike clinched a famous victory, the result overturning the first leg 4-2 defeat in Lisbon as the German club go through on away goals. Ante Rebic was outstanding for Frankfurt, but it was a total team effort roared on by an passionate and raucous home support. The Portuguese club will lament the offside goal but were largely second best throughout the contest.
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