Blog (Page 36)

Tottenham Hotspur have announced managing director of football Fabio Paratici will take a ‘leave of absence’ following FIFA’s decision to ban him from world football for 30 months. Paratici was initially handed such a ban by the Italian FA (FIGC) following his role in Juventus’ financial mismanagement during his spell as sporting director in Turin. This ban was made global by FIFA on Wednesday evening, but Spurs initially spoke of their anger at such a charge on short notice. Tottenham’s statement came to the surprise of the football world, particularly as Juventus’ entire board resigned when allegations first came to light back in November 2022.Read More →

Newcastle host Manchester United on Sunday in a Premier League fixture which could have major ramifications in the Champions League qualification race. The Magpies are two points behind fourth placed Tottenham but would jump above both Spurs and Man Utd with victory over the Red Devils, who themselves are looking to edge closer to Manchester City in second. The sides have already squared off twice this season, the most recent being the Carabao Cup final in late February which Man Utd won 2-0. Here’s what you need to know about the fixture. Newcastle vs Man Utd H2H Results (Last Five Games) Current Premier League formRead More →

Barcelona continue their march towards a first league title since 2018/19 when they visit Elche on Saturday evening. The Clasico victory over Real Madrid before the international break put Barça 12 points clear at the top of La Liga as goals from Sergi Roberto and Franck Kessie defeated their great rivals. There’s a massive 55 points separating Xavi’s side from 20th-placed Elche. The Alicante club sacked coach Pablo Machin after a 2-0 loss to Real Sociedad left them 14 points adift of safety. Sebastian Beccacece is the new boss in the dugout, becoming Elche’s fourth manager of the season. Here’s what you need to knowRead More →

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has provided an update on William Saliba’s fitness after he suffered a back injury earlier this month. The France centre-back had to be withdrawn in the early stages of the Gunners’ Europa League last 16 second leg against Sporting CP shortly prior to the international break. Rob Holding started in Saliba’s place three days later in Arsenal’s 4-1 win at home to Crystal Palace with the club hopeful that this would be a temporary solution. But speaking to the press ahead of this weekend’s clash against Leeds United, Arteta admitted Saliba has not recovered in time and remains some distance fromRead More →

Erik ten Hag has admitted he is confident that Marcus Rashford will be fit enough for Manchester United’s trip to face Newcastle on Saturday. The in-form 25-year-old was forced to drop out of the England squad earlier this month because of a knock – something which appeared to frustrate Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate. Back in Manchester, it was all smiles for Ten Hag as he revealed his confidence that Rashford will be ready to go at St James’ Park. “I’ve good hope, he trained but he had to do some treatment, he had to do some individual training, today he joined in with theRead More →

Manchester United have agreed terms in principle with Luke Shaw over a new four-year contract. Shaw’s current deal runs until the end of next season, with United earlier in this campaign triggering an automatic 12-month extension to buy them more time to agree fresh terms with the England international. Now 27, Shaw is enjoying perhaps his best season in a United shirt, turning in a number of impressive performances under new manager Erik ten Hag. Shaw was part of the team that won the Carabao Cup in February, while United are competing for a top four place as well as additional Europa League and FARead More →

Forest Green Rovers have topped the first ever Sport Positive League for the English Football League (Championship, League One and League Two), getting a perfect score in the environmental sustainability matrix. Sport Positive have been utilising their metric to rank Premier League team’s efforts around sustainability and reducing their carbon footprint since 2019, and have now utilised their system to quantify how lower league teams are performing. As stated in a press release from Sport Positive, the categories that clubs are evaluated on for this edition of Sport Positive Leagues Matrix include: commitment and policy, clean energy, energy efficiency, sustainable transport, waste management, single useRead More →

PSV Eindhoven manager Ruud van Nistelrooy has set the record straight over some ‘fake’ quotes attributed to him over Cody Gakpo’s move to Liverpool in January. Gakpo was widely expected to leave PSV for Manchester United to work under Erik ten Hag, with the winger even speaking openly of his interest in making the move to Old Trafford, but it was Liverpool who swooped in and got a deal done. Shortly after the move went through, quotes emerged online which appeared to be from Van Nistelrooy, with the former United striker said to have tried to convince Gakpo to move to Manchester instead. “I advisedRead More →

Manchester United went back to the top of the WSL on Women’s Football Weekend and will be hoping to make a statement in the ever developing title race when they head to struggling Brighton to kick off April before any of their rivals are in action. United needed ‘choice words’ at half-time in their last outing against West Ham before eventually cruising to a comfortable 4-0 win at Old Trafford. That, combined with Chelsea’s defeat to Manchester City the next day, ensured they leapfrogged the reigning champions. Brighton, meanwhile, still under the control of interim boss Amy Merricks for the second spell this season, areRead More →

Chelsea emerged victorious over Lyon on penalties in the Women’s Champions League quarter-finals after forcing a shootout with a 128th minute spot-kick to conclude a tense two-hour slog at Stamford Bridge on Thursday night. Chelsea had a narrow cushion as the game kicked off, but a late Vanessa Gilles goal squeezed in at the near post forced extra-time, before Sara Dabritz looked to have sensationally won the tie for the holders in extra-time. But Maren Mjelde had ice in her veins colder than a Norwegian fjord to convert from 12 yards right at the death and a VAR-awarded penalty. The shootout was even more tense,Read More →