Football

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has received a two-game touchline ban from the Football Association following his red card in the match against Everton. Slot was dismissed for approaching referee Michael Oliver on the pitch after the 2-2 Premier League draw at Goodison Park on February 12. He accepted the charge and was also fined £70,000. The ban means Slot will be absent from the touchline for Liverpool's home fixture against Newcastle and the subsequent match against Southampton on March 8. However, he will be permitted to resume his touchline duties for the Champions League last-16 first-leg tie against Paris St-Germain on March 5. Liverpool assistant coach Sipke Hulshoff was also disciplined, receiving a two-game ban and a £7,000 fine. Both clubs faced financial penalties, with Liverpool fined £65,000 and Everton £50,000 for failing to control their players during the heated […]

Manchester City has included injured midfielder Rodri in their Champions League knockout phase squad, signaling optimism about his potential return this season. The Spanish international, who suffered an ACL tear against Arsenal on September 22, has targeted an April comeback, coinciding with the Champions League quarterfinals which begin April 8. In meeting UEFA's Thursday midnight deadline for updated squad lists, City made strategic choices within the three-player limit for midseason transfers. The club opted to exclude recent Palmeiras signing Vitor Reis, while incorporating new arrivals Nico Gonzalez, Omar Marmoush, and Abdukodir Khusanov. The inclusion of Rodri, who scored the winning goal in the 2023 final against Inter Milan, comes as City faces a challenging path in the competition. Their immediate hurdle is a two-leg knockout playoff against Real Madrid, scheduled for next Tuesday and February 19. The victor will advance […]

Arsenal have been charged by the Football Association following their players' confrontational response to referee Michael Oliver during their 1-0 victory over Wolves. The incident occurred when Oliver showed Myles Lewis-Skelly a straight red card in the 43rd minute of the first half. The 18-year-old midfielder was dismissed for what the referee deemed serious foul play after bringing down Matt Doherty just outside the Wolves penalty area during a counter-attack. The decision, which was supported by VAR official Darren England, sparked immediate controversy. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed his frustration, while the team's players surrounded the referee to protest the decision. While Arsenal successfully appealed the red card, resulting in Lewis-Skelly's three-match ban being overturned, the club now faces FA charges for allegedly failing to ensure their players "did not behave in an improper manner." The Gunners have been given […]

Steven Gerrard has departed from his position as manager of Saudi Arabian club Al-Ettifaq through mutual agreement, despite recently signing a contract extension until 2027. The 44-year-old former Liverpool and England midfielder joined the club in July 2023, but the team's performance this season has been disappointing, with only five victories in 17 league matches. This poor run of form has left the club precariously positioned just five points above the relegation zone in 12th place of the 16-team league. Reflecting on his departure, Gerrard maintained a positive outlook: "Football is unpredictable and sometimes things don't go the way we want. However, I leave with great respect for the club and the country. I have no doubt that the work being done will bring success in the future and I wish the team the very best for the rest of […]

Brazilian football star Neymar is in negotiations to rejoin Santos, his boyhood club, following the mutual termination of his contract with Saudi Arabian team Al-Hilal. The 32-year-old Brazilian national team player is anticipated to secure a short-term agreement with the club where he first emerged as a professional. Sources close to Neymar indicate that ending his Al-Hilal contract was the crucial development that enabled this potential return. His time in Saudi Arabia was plagued by injuries, with only seven appearances following his £77.6m transfer in August 2023. His final game came as a substitute in November. Al-Hilal released a brief statement acknowledging Neymar's contribution: "The club expresses its thanks and appreciation to Neymar for what he has provided at Al-Hilal, and wish the player success in his career." While Chicago Fire tried to bring Neymar to Major League Soccer, holding […]

Kylian Mbappe scored his first hat-trick for Real Madrid, leading the LaLiga champions to a comfortable 3-0 victory over bottom-placed Real Valladolid on Saturday. The French forward opened the scoring in the 30th minute with a clever one-two with Jude Bellingham, beating the offside trap and firing past goalkeeper Karl Hein. He doubled the lead in the 56th minute with a precise left-channel counter-attack, curling a low strike inside the far post. Mbappe completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot after Mario Martin's red card for a dangerous tackle on Bellingham in added time. The victory extended Real Madrid's lead at the top of LaLiga to 49 points, four ahead of second-placed Atletico Madrid, who drew 1-1 with Villarreal earlier that day. Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao follow, level on 39 points with a game in hand. "Happy for the hat-trick […]