The World Opinion

Tag: football news

  • Yaya Toure’s former agent says Pep Guardiola is unfastened from ‘African curse’

    Yaya Toure’s former agent Dimitri Seluk has claimed that the curse he as soon as known as to be put on Manchester Town supervisor Pep Guardiola via “African shamans” to forestall the executive from profitable the Champions League has been lifted.

    Toure performed below Guardiola at Barcelona after which at Town for 2 seasons however was once benched via the Catalan and made only one Premier League get started within the 2017/18 marketing campaign.

    On the time, Toure had mentioned that Guardiola did ‘the whole thing to break his ultimate season’ and puzzled Guardiola’s strategy to deciding on African avid gamers.

    “The day he selections a staff with 5 Africans in it, I promise I will be able to ship him a cake”, mentioned Toure in 2014 after ‘birthday cake snub’, which noticed the Town legend’s birthday allegedly cross with out popularity from his membership.

    “I wish to apologise for this subject,’ Seluk instructed the Replicate.

    “I feel it’s time for this bitterness to forestall – and I do know that Yaya feels the similar as a result of he needs not anything however good fortune for Town.

    “I will be able to say that the spell has now been lifted via the shamans – and that I feel Town will win the Champions League below Pep.

    “They’ve a great opportunity of profitable it this 12 months. However no matter occurs they’ll undoubtedly win it within the subsequent 3 years.”

    On the other hand, Toure has distanced himself from the feedback and known as it “lazy and nonsense.”

    My former agent is being quoted via the media a couple of ‘curse’.

    Please don’t affiliate me with this nonsense and lazy stereotypes about African curses!? ?

    Media… transfer on please. This guy does now not constitute me in any respect. Amplifying those stereotypes is damaging.

    — Yaya Touré (@YayaToure) Might 8, 2023

    He wrote: “My former agent being quoted via the media a couple of ‘curse’. Please don’t affiliate me with this nonsense and lazy stereotypes about African curses!?

    “Media… transfer on please. This guy does now not constitute me in any respect. Amplifying those stereotypes is damaging.”

    After leaving Town 5 years in the past, Toure moved to Olympiacos and previous Chinese language Tremendous League outfit Qingdao Huanghai prior to striking up his boots.

    Since August 2022, Toure has taken over training Tottenham’s under-16 facet.

    Town have by no means received a Champions League identify and it’s no secret that each Guardiola and his facet deeply want the trophy.

    Manchester Town, below Guardiola, has come agonisingly with regards to lifting their maiden Champions League identify throughout the 2020/21 marketing campaign however misplaced the Chelsea within the last. Ultimate season, regardless of having a 4-2 lead on combination towards Actual Madrid till the loss of life moments in their semi-final second-leg conflict, they were given knocked out of the contest.

  • Whilst You Had been Asleep: No Messi no downside for PSG, De Gea error items West Ham win, Napoli see off Fiorentina

    PSG have shyed away from distraction from noise surrounding Lionel Messi with a 3-1 win over Troyes. Christophe Galtier’s facet bagged all 3 issues towards Troyes as Kylian Mbappe, Vitinha and Fabian Ruiz targets take them to the edge of the Ligue 1 name.

    Lionel Mess has been suspended by way of the membership after he neglected follow on Monday whilst he used to be on a promotional commute to Saudi Arabia.

    The Argentine has posted a brief video on Instagram to apologize and chalk up the debate to a scheduling false impression.

    ⌛️ FULL-TIME: Troyes 1-3 Paris Saint-Germain!

    3️⃣ #Ligue1 targets, 3️⃣ #Ligue1 issues

    ?? #???????? %.twitter.com/7pXMNIgv5L

    — Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) Might 7, 2023

    Kylian Mbappe scored within the 8th minute, Vitinha made it 2-0 ahead of the hour. Xavier Chavalerin pulled a target again for Troyes within the 83rd however Ruiz restored PSG’s two-goal benefit 3 mins later.

    De Gea fumbles once more

    David De Gea’s error in Manchester United’s 1-0 loss to West Ham loosened his group’s grip at the ultimate Champions League qualification position on Sunday.

    The Spain goalkeeper let Stated Benrahma’s hopeful shot from 20 meters slip over his glove and into the online to sentence Erik Ten Hag’s group to back-to-back defeats within the Premier League, after a 1-0 loss at Brighton on Thursday.

    United now lies only one level forward of a unexpectedly advancing Liverpool, albeit with a recreation in hand, however an 8th loss at the highway this season may turn out as expensive for the guests because it used to be helpful for West Ham.

    The Hammers climbed seven issues above the relegation zone and are definitely now secure forward of 2 fits towards AZ Alkmaar within the semifinals of the Europa Convention League.

    Osimhen rankings once more

    Napoli secured a 1-0 win over Fiorentina in Serie A on Sunday after league’s most sensible scorer Victor Osimhen scored from the spot on the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.

    It used to be the forty seventh Serie A target for the 24-year-old, taking him previous George Weah as most sensible African scorer within the league’s historical past.

    Napoli wrapped up their first league name in 33 years on Thursday when a 1-1 draw at Udinese put them out of succeed in in their competitors for the Scudetto.

    Osimhen will have put a comfortable Napoli in entrance from the spot 3 mins into the second one part however Terracciano stored his vulnerable shot after the penalty used to be awarded for Sofyan Amrabat’s foul on Stanislav Lobotka.

    Osimhen got here with reference to contributing to the fanatics’ birthday party within the stands quarter-hour later when he lobbed Terracciano with a well-measured effort however the ball hit the bar and ricocheted away.

    The Nigerian striker redeemed himself when winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia gained any other penalty for Napoli within the 74th minute and Osimhen made no mistake from the spot this time.

  • Chelsea sack Graham Potter with membership eleventh in Premier League; Bruno Saltor named intervening time boss

    Chelsea have sacked supervisor Graham Potter, the London membership stated on Sunday after a string of deficient effects left the workforce eleventh within the Premier League.

    Potter have been signed by way of Chelsea’s new possession in September when they prised him clear of Brighton & Hove Albion however the Englishman lasted 31 video games, profitable simplest 12, sooner than the house owners pulled the cause.

    His ultimate sport in rate was once Chelsea’s 2-0 league loss at house to Aston Villa on Saturday.

    “Graham has agreed to collaborate with the membership to facilitate a easy transition,” Chelsea stated in a observation.

    “In his time with the membership, Graham has taken us to the quarter ultimate of the Champions League, the place we will be able to face Actual Madrid. Chelsea want to thank Graham for all his efforts and contribution and want him neatly for the longer term.

    “Bruno Saltor will take rate of the workforce as intervening time head trainer.”

    Potter got here underneath complaint after he didn’t get the most productive out of a squad that have been bolstered over two switch home windows as house owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital spent over 600 million euros ($650.76 million) on new avid gamers.

  • Wrexham to play Manchester United in pleasant in San Diego

    Football sensation Wrexham is coming to The united states. No longer simply on tv displays, however at the pitch.

    The fifth-tier Welsh facet, which has turn into a fan favourite since Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney purchased it and introduced a documentary collection, “Welcome to Wrexham,” will play Manchester United in a pleasant on July 25 at San Diego State’s 35,000-seat Snapdragon Stadium.

    “We are hoping to turn into The united states’s crew — sorry,” McElhenney stated at information convention Monday, the place he shared the dais with Andrew Cole, a former Manchester United participant who’s now an envoy for the vastly common crew, and previous U.S. nationwide crew big name Landon Donovan, who’s co-owner and govt vice chairman of football operations for the San Diego Dependable.

    50% Dragon. 50% Satan. 100% Crimson. Wrexham play @ManUtd in San Diego, July twenty fifth!

    ?⚪️ #WxmAFC percent.twitter.com/w7zUjB3d3K

    — Wrexham AFC (@Wrexham_AFC) March 27, 2023

    Wrexham will compete in a $1 million, winner-take-all, seven-on-seven match in June in Cary, North Carolina. However the fit in opposition to Manchester United in the US can be a lot larger for lots of causes.

    “No longer unhealthy, no longer unhealthy,” McElhenney stated. “We’ve been very transparent from the very starting that our final purpose is to get to the Premier League, which numerous other folks laughed at, however I don’t suppose they’re guffawing at us a lot now. In fact, the gadget is in position for that very factor to occur.

    “We had was hoping that in the future we’d be taking part in Manchester United within the Premier League,” he added. “We didn’t understand it can be in 3 years. Clearly this can be a pleasant. We had was hoping that perhaps in 8 to ten years time we’d if truth be told be taking part in with you guys,” McIlhenney stated to Cole.

    .@Wrexham_AFC: Coming To The united states ?? https://t.co/qYWVrOd3mH

    — Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) March 27, 2023

    McElhenney stated Wrexham will play different friendlies whilst in the US with explicit main points to come back.

    Reynolds and McElhenney took over beleaguered Wrexham in February 2021 and their documentary — about their adventure, the crew, its enthusiasts and its town — premiered in August. Wrexham is the third-oldest soccer crew on this planet and performs within the English Nationwide League, the 5th tier {of professional} football.

    “I consider we will turn into The united states’s soccer crew as a result of we don’t have to fret in regards to the regionalization, proper?” McElhenney stated. “I’m a large Philadelphia Eagles fan, so American soccer, and clearly if you happen to’re looking to develop that fan base within the U.S. it’s tough as a result of there are more than a few areas the place other folks have their very own groups. So with an English soccer crew, or a Welsh crew that performs within the English gadget, we don’t have to fret about that regionalization. So you’ll be able to be from Des Moines, you’ll be able to be from Minnesota, you’ll be able to be from West Texas and be a Wrexham fan.”

    What @RMcElhenney stated!

    Supporters can use the pre-sale code WAFC23US to get tickets for our fit in opposition to @ManUtd on the Snapdragon Stadium early!

    ?⚪️ #WxmAFC percent.twitter.com/kFv8kkiypa

    — Wrexham AFC (@Wrexham_AFC) March 27, 2023

    McElhenney, who used to be dressed in a Wrexham cap, stated the crew assists in keeping promoting out of its equipment and is aware of it has a fan base in this facet of the Atlantic Ocean.

    “We are aware of it’s numerous American citizens, we clearly know the postal codes, but in addition as a result of numerous baseball caps are getting offered and that’s no longer an enormous marketplace in the United Kingdom,” he stated.

    A number of native United supporters attended the scoop convention and McElhenney instructed them: “Another factor I’ve discovered about soccer, too, is you’ll be able to have two groups. As a result of we’re separated via such a lot of leagues — in the intervening time — you’ll be able to have two groups. They’re going to play their hearts out. Possibly you’ll be able to fall in love with our crew as smartly.”

    The fit can be a part of a summer season U.S. excursion via Manchester United. A youth-focused crew drawn from its touring squad, supplemented via academy possibilities, will face Wrexham as a part of a week-long coaching camp in San Diego.

    Cole stated he hasn’t observed “Welcome to Wrexham” however is aware of that the documentary is “spreading soccer. Soccer is a world sport. Despite the fact that you don’t learn about soccer, in terms of International Cup time, everybody watches soccer. It’s a language, soccer is. I feel what Wrexham are doing is admittedly incredible, having the chance to come back out right here and play soccer out right here and unfold it during the sector.”

    Donovan stated it’s a large deal that this fit is coming to San Diego, which is rising in stature within the football global.

    “You’ll argue that those are the 2 maximum related football golf equipment, undoubtedly via American requirements,” Donovan stated. “I can say this anecdotally — my spouse is aware of not anything about soccer/football in any respect. She is aware of who Manchester United is and she or he is aware of who Wrexham AFC is now, almost certainly as a result of two lovely guys run the display.”

    On Saturday evening, a crowd of 30,854 at Snapdragon Stadium — a document for a Nationwide Ladies’s Football League opener — watched big name Alex Morgan rating on a penalty kick within the 88th minute of the San Diego Wave’s 3-2 win in opposition to the Chicago Crimson Stars.

    San Diego reportedly is in line for an MLS growth crew via December.

  • Premier League refers Everton for alleged monetary breach

    The Premier League has referred Everton to an unbiased fee for an alleged breach of economic truthful play regulations final season, it stated on Friday with out giving main points.

    Everton stated in a observation the membership was once disenchanted by way of the verdict.

    “The membership strongly contests the allegation of non-compliance and along with its unbiased workforce of professionals is totally assured that it stays compliant with all monetary regulations and laws,” it stated.

    “Everton is ready to robustly shield its place to the fee.

    “The Membership has, over a number of years, supplied knowledge to the Premier League in an open and clear method and has consciously selected to behave with the maximum just right religion all the time.”

    Everton narrowly have shyed away from relegation from the 20-team league final season, completing sixteenth. They’re once more preventing to stick up this season and are lately fifteenth, simply 3 issues transparent of backside aspect Southampton.

    Underneath Premier League regulations, groups could make a most lack of 105 million kilos ($128.28 million) over 3 years, even if particular allowances have been made for the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Everton have recorded a complete lack of just about 372 million kilos previously 3 seasons.

    The membership, majority owned by way of Farhad Moshiri, has attributed a minimum of 170 million kilos of that to the have an effect on of the pandemic.

  • ‘Previous, provide & long term’ Zlatan Ibrahimovic again in Sweden squad after knee damage

    Sweden welcomed again Zlatan Ibrahimovic from a knee damage on Tuesday forward in their opening Ecu Championship qualifier, with the report global goal-scorer cheekily stating himself the previous, provide and long term of the aspect.

    The 41-year-old not too long ago returned from a 14-month damage layoff and scored a penalty for AC Milan towards Udinese to change into the oldest participant ever to attain in Italy’s Serie A. He’s now atmosphere his attractions at the opening Euro qualifier with Belgium on Friday in Stockholm.

    Requested whether or not he supposed to take his aspect all of the method to the finals in Germany subsequent 12 months, Ibra gave a tongue-in-cheek reaction harking back to his extra bombastic more youthful self.

    Say my identify percent.twitter.com/QdSk9w66t0

    — Zlatan Ibrahimović (@Ibra_official) March 20, 2023

    “If I think just right and I’m decided on by means of the trainer, I can lend a hand him, the workforce and the rustic to do my very best. So I believe at my age you can’t suppose long term, you suppose provide – although I’m the previous, provide and the long run,” he stated with a wry smile.

    The striker, who’s Sweden’s most sensible scorer with 62 targets in 121 video games however with out a global target since November 2015, published that he had gone through 3 knee operations within the closing 14 months.

    “Principally, my knee used to be swollen for 8, 9 months, however then all at once, one month in the past, one thing came about after which the entirety was sure, and I were given power from it,” he defined at a media convention.

    “From there, shall we paintings an increasing number of, so from status nonetheless for 8 months, all at once I may just transfer usually, after which from commonplace I attempted to play the sport, and it change into just right, and from there I step it up.”

    ⏱️ 46′
    Again to it ?#UdineseMilan 2-1 #SempreMilan percent.twitter.com/n9IqGzfwA5

    — AC Milan (@acmilan) March 18, 2023

    Final Saturday, Ibrahimovic captained AC Milan towards Udinese in his first get started for the reason that damage, and despite the fact that his penalty represented every other milestone in his glittering profession, his pleasure used to be tempered by means of the truth that the sport completed 1-1.

    “I had the respect to be the captain for my workforce and I didn’t win the sport, so the end result can have been higher if I gained the sport, however I didn’t,” he stated, however he confirmed he used to be happy to be again taking part in soccer on the very best stage once more.

    “This is essential to me, as a result of I’m no longer right here for charity … I’m right here to play my sport, to offer and convey effects via my efficiency. Confidently I will proceed to do this, however on the similar time feeling wholesome,” he stated.

  • Watch: Mitrovic pushes referee, despatched off in chaos at Manchester United vs Fulham

    Fulham had two avid gamers and supervisor Marco Silva despatched off in a frantic 5 mins in opposition to Manchester United as their FA Cup goals collapsed on Sunday.

    Main 1-0 within the quarterfinal fit at Previous Trafford, the sport used to be became spherical after United used to be awarded a penalty when Willian treated Jadon Sancho’s goalbound shot.

    Aleksandar Mitrovic had put the guests forward within the fiftieth minute.

    Sancho seemed set to even the rating till Willian blocked at the line.

    VAR requested referee Chris Kavanagh to study the incident at the observe at the facet of the sector, which obviously confirmed Willian used his arm to divert the shot.

    Silva used to be proven a crimson for remonstrating at the touchline and Willian used to be then despatched off for the handball, which used to be a certified foul. Mitrovic used to be proven any other crimson for his indignant response.

    Bruno Fernandes scored from the spot within the seventy fifth minute and Marcel Sabitzer put United 2-1 forward within the 77th.

    United gained the sport 3-1.

  • Stunning scenes in Napoli: Watch combating breaks out between Frankfurt and Napoli enthusiasts

    Combating broke out within the heart of Naples between Napoli and Eintracht Frankfurt enthusiasts forward of the groups’ Champions League fit on Wednesday.

    A police automobile and different cars have been set alight. Automotive home windows have been damaged and police in insurrection equipment have been seeking to calm the location.

    Police have been on prime alert within the Italian town as round 600 enthusiasts arrived from Germany regardless of Frankfurt forgoing its allocation of tickets for the round-of-16 fit in protest.

    The membership used to be objecting to a call through native government in Naples banning any enthusiasts who’re citizens of Frankfurt from purchasing tickets, following unrest between supporters throughout the primary leg in Germany.

    Stunning scenes in Napoli. For all the wonderful thing about German fan tradition, that is completely shameful from Eintracht Frankfurt enthusiasts. No reason can justify it.%.twitter.com/PpMtpZeYD1

    — Adriano Del Monte (@adriandelmonte) March 15, 2023

    Napoli gained that fit 2-0 however native police made a number of arrests within the buildup amid altercations between enthusiasts.

  • Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez auctions International Cup gloves to lift finances for most cancers sufferers

    In a heartwarming gesture, Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez auctioned the gloves that he wore all through the FIFA International Cup ultimate in opposition to France to lift finances for a kids’s most cancers medical institution.

    “After they gave me the method to donate the International Cup gloves, I didn’t hesitate, it’s a excellent motive for the lads,” mentioned the goalkeeper.

    The public sale was once held on-line on Friday and Martinez participated within the on-line public sale to promote “Dibu” by means of video-link from his house in England, the place he performs for Aston Villa.

    “The International Cup finals don’t seem to be performed each day, (the gloves) are particular. However it is helping a kid a lot more than me having them striking in a body in my area,” mentioned Martinez all through the development.

    Saying the gesture the Argentine Pediatric Basis took to Instagram and wrote “$45,000 for the Dibu gloves to lend a hand the Garrahan boys!” regarding the oncology ward of the Garrahan Medical institution, the primary paediatric medical institution in Argentina.

    Emiliano Martinez has auctioned off the gloves he wore within the International Cup ultimate to lift over €40,000 for youngsters with most cancers.

    ? “It’s a lot more essential to lend a hand a kid than to have my gloves saved in a field at house.”

    A slightly of sophistication ??❤️ %.twitter.com/N2SyBoOzgV

    — SPORTbible (@sportbible) March 14, 2023

    Martinez had signed the interior of the gloves upon the announcement of the donation of the gloves in February.

  • Ronaldo’s transfer to Al Nassr: To this point a win for membership, nation and the footballing nice

    Cristiano Ronaldo storms off the pitch kicking a water bottle; Ronaldo hugs a 10-year-old boy who misplaced his father within the Turkey-Syria earthquake; Ronaldo makes Erik Ten Hag endure; Ronaldo poses for selfies with the locals. It was once the comeback week for Ronaldo into mainstream soccer awareness. No longer that the arena had ever forgotten him, or his information or the reels ever stopped, however within the seven-odd days, he has been hogging unwavering consideration, which in a way defines his footballing lifestyles.
    There have been different snippets and nuggets too—snatches of him damn out Arabic; of him belting out a pre-game pep-talk; his daughter rendering an Arabic track; his membership’s web site remains to be reeling within the unexpected onslaught of web-traffic.

    They’re the very best pair too—a country that desires to construct a picture buying essentially the most image-conscious residing footballer.

    In a bit of greater than 3 months, the membership that coughed up an astonishing 177 million kilos to obtain the signature of one of the vital recreation’s all-time greats although growing old and plateauing, has accomplished its number one objectives. A) It has cast an id in a single day. Till this 12 months, Al Nassr rarely struck a chord outdoor Saudi Arabia, although it has native relevance, grooming probably the most nation’s greatest skills like Majed Abdullah, Fahd Al-Herafy and Mohaisn Al-Jam’aan. B) It had already grow to be a business blockbuster, shirts have flown off the cabinets, sponsorship offers are flying in, and match-day tickets are frenziedly offered out. C) The rustic has left its first large imprint in international soccer.

    Cristiano Ronaldo is offended with the efficiency of the crew.%.twitter.com/oLP2zyEFkM

    — CristianoXtra (@CristianoXtra_) March 9, 2023

    The ultimate is in all probability the mopremist vital victory but. Saudi Arabia desires to bid for a International Cup (2030 earliest), it desires to support its wearing picture, it desires to mission a sport-friendly-country picture (and there may well be an exodus of semi-retired legends to the rustic), and Ronaldo simply burst in entrance of them, like a spring in the course of a wilderness. The timing was once excellent—a bust-up together with his former membership thru an interview. Had the prelude been much less stormy, in case he and the membership had been to section peacefully on the finish of the season, all smiles and tears, the impact of the switch don’t have been this exaggerated. Love it had been to a number of different legends ahead of him, his ultimate days would have performed out some distance clear of the glare of cameras (although Ronaldo would have twitched at the potential of him now not enjoying with out the arena observing him).

    Ronaldo’s presence is giving the rustic extra visibility within the wearing international than ever ahead of. After extended prison resistance and battles, Saudi Arabia state-run Public Funding Fund (PIF) bought English Premier League membership Newcastle United, a storied membership no much less, however the acquire of Ronaldo became out to be the actual game-changer. It has became out to be a greater industry deal too—Newcastle United price an estimated 350 million kilos’ Ronaldo for nearly part of it. Saudi till being Ronaldo-fied was once most renowned for its immense oil wealth, the most efficient dates on the earth and the holy shrines of Mecca and Madina. Upload Ronaldo too into the listing.

    What’s higher, in each public serve as or post-game interviews, he’s extolling the virtues of the rustic. Amnesty Center East need Ronaldo to “use his time at Al Nassr to talk out in regards to the myriad human rights problems within the nation and shouldn’t permit his reputation and famous person standing to grow to be a device of Saudi sportswashing” however as a substitute Ronaldo says he “desires to provide a unique imaginative and prescient of this membership and nation.”

    ? شاهدوا .. غضب كبير جداً من النجم العالمي #كرستيانو_رونالدو بعد الخسارة من #الاتحاد للمرة الثانية#الاتحاد_النصر#النصر_الاتحاد %.twitter.com/T80sXddLmS

    — علاء سعيد (@alaa_saeed88) March 9, 2023

    Not too long ago, at the Saudi founding day, he was once noticed in a gold-printed dagla gown together with his teammates and taking part in a standard ardah dance that featured Arab swords. “Riyadh, how gorgeous!” he as soon as tweeted. A majority of these may well be his authentic emotions, however you can’t marvel how a lot of it could be PR-generated stuff too.

    It’s how aspirational gulf states serve as too. Qatar as an example. A 12 months after it received the rights to host the 2022 International Cup, it invested in PSG. Certainly one of its first acquisitions was once David Beckham, who was once then with LA Galaxy. The priorities for signing him weren’t such a lot the will for a 36-year outdated midfielder, however coveting the Beckham emblem. Learn Ronaldo for Beckham now. Within the decade that adopted PSG’s takeover to website hosting the International Cup ultimate 12 months, the membership assembled probably the most maximum sparking gem stones in soccer, some nonetheless dazzling, some shining sporadically. PSG would possibly now not have emerged as a powerhouse of Europe regardless of all of the spending—they have got expended round 1.6 billion kilos within the ultimate decade—however the Qatar State has accomplished maximum of its wishes, on the subject of nation-building thru soccer. The bigger victory has been accomplished; Champions League defeats would now not subject.

    Which may be the way forward for the Saudi league too. Many extra would observe the Ronaldo path, his nice recent Lionel Messi too may sign up for him, the whole high quality of the league too may strengthen, however after all, it will assist Saudi construct a picture within the wearing international as PSG helped Qatar nurture. It’s a win-win for Saudi Arabia, Al Nassr Membership and Ronaldo himself. They make the very best pair too—a country that desires to construct a picture buying essentially the most image-conscious residing footballer.