Football Blog (Page 78)

[ad_1] The UK government have confirmed an independent regulator will soon be introduced to protect the future of English football. Calls for a regulator have been growing in strength over the past few years as a result of various issues, such as a number of clubs falling into administration and the controversy of the initial plan to form a Super League. Now, a plan has been formally announced to ‘oversee the financial sustainability of the game and put fans back at the heart of how football is run’. A statement read: “The regulator will implement a new licensing system from the top flight down toRead More →

[ad_1] The highs of 2021/22 – two trophies and a near quaruple – have been usurped by the bleakness of 2022/23 on the red side of the Mersey. Liverpool could yet enjoy a promising season, but very few projected them to be in their current position. A top four Premier League finish is very much achievable, but the possibility of claiming silverware is now close to nil following Real Madrid’s devastating visit to Anfield this week. Their need to rebuild – and rebuild fast – is distinct, with several members of the old guard needing to be shipped out to facilitate the arrivals of freshRead More →

[ad_1] Barcelona coach Xavi has claimed that a Qatar takeover at Manchester United led by Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani would be a ‘very good option’ for the Premier League side. Xavi made the assertion ahead of his Barça team playing at Old Trafford on Thursday night, citing his own experience of living in Qatar and a personal relationship with the Sheikh, who is chairman of one of the Gulf state’s largest banks and son of a former prime minister. The Qatar bid is one of only two to be publicly confirmed ahead of last Friday’s soft deadline set by Raine, the investment bankRead More →

[ad_1] Man City’s quest to finally lift the Champions League continued on Wednesday night when they were held to a 1-1 draw by RB Leipzig in the first leg of their last 16 tie. The Citizens’ form has been patchy this season, but they’re poised to compete on three fronts during the backend of the 2022/23 campaign. They remain in Europe and the FA Cup, but will have to hunt down Arsenal if they’re to lift their third-straight Premier League title. It’s a busy period for the champions up until the March international break, and here’s what their schedule looks like. Haaland didn’t score againstRead More →

[ad_1] Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has revealed that he is already looking forward to his next dinner with legendary former boss Sir Alex Ferguson and the pair were spotted out sharing a meal together ahead of Thursday’s huge clash against Barcelona. Ferguson has won more trophies than any other manager in football history – including a record 13 Premier League titles – and United have struggled to even get close to that kind of success since he retired aged 71 a decade ago. A string of coaches have tried and failed for various different reasons, but Ten Hag has had a transformative impactRead More →

[ad_1] Liverpool and Everton have each been issued with FA fines over a mass confrontation that occurred during the Merseyside derby at Anfield earlier this month. Liverpool won the game 2-0 thanks to goals from Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo, but the derby boiled over in the closing stages when Andrew Robertson initially clashed. There was then pushing and shoving near the touchline, with Amadou Onana and Kostas Tsimikas heavily involved. Both clubs had been given until Monday of this week to respond to the initial charge alleging that they each ‘failed to ensure their players and/or benches conducted themselves in an orderly fashion and/orRead More →

[ad_1] Major League Soccer revealed a new format and schedule for the 2023 playoffs. The new system will see the top seven teams from each conference automatically qualify to the Round One Best-of-3 series following Decision Day on October 21, while teams ranked from seventh to ninth compete in a single-elimination playoffs Wild Card match. The winners of each Wild Card game will earn a spot in the Round One Best-of-3 series. The upcoming edition of the postseason will see up-to 24 must-win matches ahead of the 2023 MLS Cup, compared with just 12 in 2022. Qualification: Wild Card Matches Round One Best-of-3 Series ConferenceRead More →

[ad_1] Manchester United manager Marc Skinner has insisted that Ona Batlle remains ‘really happy’ at the club, despite a report this week suggesting she has rejected the offer of a new contract. Batlle, along with star forward Alessia Russo, is out of contract at the end of the season and on course to leave as a free agent if no new deal is agreed. Mary Earps is another coming towards the end of her terms, although United retain an option to extend the goalkeeper’s current contract. The club has been in ‘heavy’ talks with Batlle and Russo this season, while negotiations have also got underwayRead More →

[ad_1] Barcelona manager Xavi has caused a stir after referring to Bruno Fernandes as ‘the Portuguese guy’ in the lead up to Thursday’s trip to Manchester United. Barca were held to a 2-2 draw by the Red Devils at Camp Nou in the first leg of their Europa League knockout round play-off last week. Marcos Alonso’s opener was quickly canceled out by a scorching strike from Marcus Rashford, before a Jules Kounde own goal put United ahead. A cross-cum-shot from Raphinha rescued a draw for Barcelona. Ahead of that first meeting, Xavi revealed his admiration of the job Erik ten Hag has overseen in hisRead More →

[ad_1] Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has been photographed having dinner with club legend Sir Alex Ferguson ahead of their crunch Europa League clash with Barcelona. The Red Devils largely outplayed Barça in the first leg at Camp Nou, leaving Catalonia with a 2-2 draw. A win in Thursday’s return fixture at Old Trafford will secure their passage to the last 16. In the build up to this encounter, Ten Hag was seen out having dinner with United icon Ferguson at an Italian restaurant in Cheshire. Photo of the night 😍 pic.twitter.com/5qSRckrHja — Oliver Critchlow (@OliverCritchlo1) February 21, 2023 After retiring from management inRead More →