Madrid, Spain | AFP | “I am happy where I am, I feel loved,” says Mikel Oyarzabal, Real Sociedad’s captain and creator, often linked with Manchester City but whose best chance of playing in the Champions League next season might be to stay where he is. Real Sociedad are fourth in …
Read More »Lifelines for Hazard and Suarez as La Liga title race looks to forgotten stars
Madrid, Spain | AFP | When La Liga stopped they were not expected to play any part in the rest of the title race but when the season resumes on Thursday, Eden Hazard and Luis Suarez could be set to decide it. Hazard was looking beyond Real Madrid to the Euros …
Read More »‘Turbo Timo’ Werner gives new-look Chelsea goal threat
London, United Kingdom | AFP | When Timo Werner seals his imminent move from RB Leipzig to Chelsea, the German’s turbulent rise from national pariah to one of Europe’s most feared forwards will be complete. Chelsea are willing to meet the 60 million euro (£53 million, $67 million) release clause in …
Read More »La Liga gets its wish for season return but not without compromise
Madrid, Spain | AFP | La Liga president Javier Tebas said the games would have to go on and from Thursday they will, with stadiums full of virtual fans, crowd noise from a computer game and fewer than 300 people allowed to attend. As Ligue 1 in France was called off …
Read More »Sterling calls for more black managers in football
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Manchester City star Raheem Sterling has urged English football to use the global anti-racism protests to initiate debates and find solutions regarding the lack of black representation in top leadership positions in the sport. Calling for racial justice, thousands of protesters have rallied across the …
Read More »Hearing opens as Man City appeal two-year European ban
Lausanne, Switzerland | AFP | Manchester City’s appeal against a two-year ban from European competition opened before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Monday by videoconference, a court official told AFP. City are accused of overstating sponsorship revenue to hide their failure to comply with UEFA’s financial fair-play (FFP) …
Read More »Racism ‘only disease right now,’ says Sterling
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Manchester City and England footballer Raheem Sterling on Sunday insisted that racism is “the only disease right now”. The 25-year-old, who has often and powerfully spoken out on discrimination, admitted his remarks may appear ill-chosen as the globe fights the coronavirus pandemic. “I know this might sound a little bit …
Read More »Man City face critical appeal against two-season European ban
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Manchester City’s appeal against a two-year ban from European competition will be heard by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) from Monday in a case of wide-reaching repercussions. City are accused of overstating sponsorship revenue to hide that they had not complied with UEFA’s …
Read More »It’s 2021 or never for Tokyo, confirms senior Olympic official
Brussels, Belgium | AFP | High-ranking Olympic official Pierre-Olivier Beckers on Saturday made plain that the delayed Tokyo Olympics “will be held in 2021 or not at all”. The Belgian was reiterating the stance put forward by Japan and International Olympic Committee chief Thomas Bach that next year was the last chance to hold …
Read More »Stadiums to be split into ‘zones’ as Premier League returns
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Premier League stadiums will be divided into three zones when the season resumes behind closed doors, West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady said Saturday. The Premier League will resume on June 17 after a three-month absence due to the coronavirus pandemic. Clubs met on Thursday to discuss logistics and safety …
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