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Cristiano Ronaldo’s mother ready to convince him to join Sporting Lisbon
Cristiano Ronaldo’s mother said she will talk to the Portugal international and ‘try to convince’ him to return to Sporting CP. The Leoes have qualified for the Champions League by winning the Primeira Liga for the first time in 19 years and Dolores Aveiro, Cristiano’s mother, said she will do everything she can to make the superstar return to the club. Ronaldo started his professional career with the Verde e Brancos, before he moved to Manchester United in August 2003. He then moved to Real Madrid in the summer of 2009 and was picked up by the Bianconeri after nine years in the Spanish capital. His future at the Allianz Stadium is uncertain, as Juventus are struggling to finish among the teams in the Champions League and Ronaldo has been linked with a move away from the club. The hypothes...
UEFA ‘seriously considering’ switching Champions League final to Wembley
Europe’s governing body, UEFA, are reported to be ‘seriously considering’ switching the upcoming Champions League final to Wembley, the clash set to be an all-English affair. At present, the final is set to be played in Turkey’s capital Istanbul, at Ataturk Olympic Stadium, the arena having already missed out on hosting the showpiece last season due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the last phase of the knockout stage having been moved to Portugal. However, despite missing out on hosting last year’s final, they could well be set to suffer the same fate this term, amid calls to move the final to England, after both Manchester City and Chelsea progressed from their semi-final encounters with Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid, respectively. With an all-English final on the way, it seemingly makes ...
Neymar: I am happy and proud to remain at PSG
Neymar has signed a contract extension with Paris St-Germain, keeping Brazil forward at the French giants until 30 June 2025. The 29-year-old said “happiness” was the main factor in signing a new deal. Neymar, who joined PSG in a world-record £200m deal in 2017, had been linked with a move away, including a return to Barcelona. “I have grown as a person here, as a human being and as a player, too,” he told the PSG website. Neymar was in the final year of his contract, having signed a five-year deal on his initial arrival. He has scored 85 goals and registered 51 assists in 112 games for PSG. However, he has had a difficult relationship with the club’s fans at times and was booed after expressing a desire to move back to Barcelona in 2019. Neymar said he had undergone a “very positive evolu...
Eden Hazard apologises to Real Madrid fans for laughing after Champions League exit
Real Madrid forward Eden Hazard has apologised for laughing with Chelsea players after his side were knocked out of the Champions League semi-finals. The former Chelsea man, 30, was seen joking and smiling with his former team-mates at the final whistle. Hazard said on Instagram it was “not my intention to offend Real Madrid fans”. Hazard was substituted before full-time after failing to have an impact on the game, which the Spanish giants lost 2-0 as Chelsea progressed 3-1 on aggregate. Hazard, who left Stamford Bridge in 2019, has received much criticism from Real Madrid fans and the Spanish media, with some calling for him to be transferred. Hazard helped Chelsea, who will face Manchester City in an all-English Champions League final, to two Premier League and two Europa League trophies...
Premier League issues major announcement on fan attendance for last two games
Only home fans (a limited number) will be able to attend the final two league games of the season, as confirmed by the Premier League. This update comes from The Athletic, following suggestions that away supporters could be permitted access to the stands as part of the 10,000 spectator figure previously touted. “The Premier League today confirmed the final two match rounds of the 2020/21 season will be limited to home fans, subject to the Government easing lockdown restrictions,” as the Premier League statement read. “Following consultation with clubs, it was agreed matches would not be open to away supporters due to varying operational challenges across the League and the need to deliver a consistent approach, while maximising the opportunity for home-fan attendance. “The safety and secur...
FIFA supremo urges restraint in punishing Super League clubs
FIFA president Gianni Infantino says he is not in favour of sanctions against the 12 clubs that tried to launch a European Super League, preferring “dialogue” on football reform. The plan to create a closed competition was “unacceptable” and “unimaginable”, the world football boss told French sports daily L’Equipe in an interview published on Wednesday. “Certain actions should have consequences, and everyone must assume their responsibilities,” said Infantino, who has publically joined the opposition to the project. “But you always have to be careful when you talk about sanctions. “It’s said quickly that you have to punish. It’s even popular — or populist — sometimes. “By punishing a club, for example, you are also punishing players, coaches and fans, who have nothing to do with it.” He sa...
Manchester United could lose points against Liverpool after Old Trafford protests
Manchester United could face punishment from the FA and Premier League over protests at the stadium ahead of their game against Liverpool on Sunday. The league clash between the two historic rivals was postponed at the weekend, as fans protested outside Old Trafford pre-match and eventually made their way inside the stadium. The two sets of players did not leave their hotels for the stadium, and there is no clear date set for when the game will be held. According to the Daily Mirror, the FA’s rulebook in section 8.3.4 states if United are at fault for the game not happening, Liverpool are awarded the result and three points. It reads: “In the event of a match being abandoned due to the conduct of one Club or its members or supporters the Board has the power to order that the match is not r...
Manchester United edging closer to Erling Haaland transfer decision
Manchester United are edging increasingly closer to a decision on Erling Haaland. Though they’d love to sign the Borussia Dortmund striker, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer also have several other transfer targets in mind. And much will depend on Edinson Cavani, whose future will soon become clear. Manchester United wanted to sign Haaland in January 2020. And, though they ultimately missed out to Borussia Dortmund, they’ve retained a strong interest ever since. Haaland has been in sensational form for the Bundesliga giants this season, scoring 35 goals in the Bundesliga and Champions League combined. United, as a result, have put the 20-year-old on their shortlist of potential signings ahead of this summer’s transfer window. However, the Red Devils appear to be edging closer to a development when it c...
Samuel Chukwueze: Why I enjoy playing under Unai Emery
Super Eagles winger Samuel Chukwueze has revealed why he enjoys playing under Villarreal manager Unai Emery. Speaking at an event for LiveScore, Chukwueze described Emery as a tactical coach with an amazing football brain. “I enjoy playing under Unai Emery. He’s amazing, and so tactical in everything he does. He can push you to the limit, but he’s a fantastic coach. “He has an amazing football brain. He’s amazed me, how I’ve seen him change things from game to game. Sometimes when I watch him from the bench, I’ve looked at him and noticed changes he makes which work for him that are great to see. He’s so good at his job and he’s a fantastic coach.” On how his game has changed since he moved to Europe, Chukwueze said:”I think it’s changed so much, coming from Nigeria to come and play in Eur...
English FA ‘exploring all options’ to prevent Super League repeat
English football is set for a fan-led review, under the direction of former sports minister Tracey Crouch, following the fall-out from the widely criticised breakaway plans. Twelve of Europe’s leading clubs — including the Premier League’s “big six” — announced late Sunday they had signed up to compete in the Super League. But the plans dramatically unravelled two days later as clubs withdrew following an outpouring of outrage from fans, governing bodies, players and politicians. Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham all swiftly confirmed they would not be moving ahead with the proposals, which would have seen founder members exempt from relegation. Bullingham is determined there must be no repeat of the chain of events, which caused an uproar throug...
Barcelona supremo: European Super League a ‘necessity’
Barcelona president Joan Laporta described the European Super League as a “necessity” on Thursday but said the final decision would be given to the club’s members. Barca, Real Madrid and Juventus are the only clubs yet to withdraw officially from the breakaway competition, which lasted just 48 hours before the project imploded. Nine of the 12 clubs involved have pulled out. With total debts of more than a billion euros, Barcelona are struggling to keep up with Europe’s elite, making the prospect of a hugely lucrative new tournament particularly attractive. But Laporta said Barca’s members would have to approve the idea in a vote. “We understand it is a necessity but on the other hand, the members will have the last word,” Laporta told Catalunya Radio. “It is absolutely necessary the big cl...
Southampton confirm Arsenal target to leave club on free transfer
Southampton have confirmed that Arsenal and AC Milan target Ryan Bertrand will leave the club for free this summer. Bertrand has spent the last six years of his career on Southampton’s books, scoring eight goals in 240 appearances, but he will walk through the St Mary’s exit doors at the end of the 2020-21 season after failing to reach an extension agreement with the club. The Saints have announced the 31-year-old’s departure, thanking him for his sterling contribution to their cause while insisting he will always hold a special place in the heart of the club’s supporters. “Southampton Football Club can today confirm that Ryan Bertrand will leave the club when his contract expires at the end of the season,” a statement on the club’s official website read. “Bertrand was a key part of the te...