Last season was Aston Villa’s finest since their European Cup triumph in 1982. They added a second continental honour by winning the Europa League, although their fourth-place Premier League finish would have earned them a Champions League place regardless. Villa endured a dreadful opening, failing to win any of their first five league matches. Yet […]
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Gianni Infantino may have jeopardized support from several Concacaf countries whose votes he wants for his re-election bid after using a Caribbean Football Union (CFU) meeting to unveil millions of dollars in Fifa-backed regional development funding that had been held up for months. Several people present at the CFU gathering in the Dominican Republic said […]
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Michael Carrick insists he will keep a measured perspective, although he has demanded a better display after Manchester United opened their campaign with a 2-0 loss at Hull. It was United’s fourth opening-day defeat in seven years, with Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy capitalising on weak set-piece defending. The United head coach remained composed in […]
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Lionel Messi has received a fine after striking an opposing player during a Major League Soccer match. The 39-year-old Inter Miami attacker reacted against Philadelphia Union midfielder Quinn Sullivan during Wednesday’s game, making contact with the back of his head. The Argentina international seemed frustrated after Sullivan caught him with an elbow once the ball […]
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The newly appointed Major League Soccer commissioner, Larry Berg, does not support promotion and relegation for the league, although he welcomes the pressure created by high-stakes matches. During his first press conference, Berg was asked about promotion and relegation and replied, “I don’t believe it suits our league, but there are other ways to make […]
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Gianni Infantino responded to questions about his abandoned plan to sell stakes in World Cup competitions by telling a journalist: “I’ll see you at the hairdressers.” James Matthews confronted the Fifa president outside a hotel in the Dominican Republic, asking why he had remained in his position despite growing demands from across football for his […]
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Writers’ projected finish: 2nd (Note: this is the average position selected by the panel rather than necessarily Suzanne Wrack’s personal choice) Previous season’s finish: 2nd Outlook Arsenal ended last season frustrated by their lack of major trophies, with victory in the first Fifa Champions Cup doing little to satisfy their desire to build on the […]
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Roberto De Zerbi says rival clubs were desperate to see Tottenham fail last season, a feeling he has repeatedly used to motivate his squad during the summer. He also defended the club’s significant investment in new players. Tottenham’s spending is set to exceed £300m following several major acquisitions, including Sandro Tonali for £92.5m, Mateus Fernandes […]
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Manchester United have reached an agreement to sign Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba for an initial fee of £65m, with the player expected to undergo a medical in Manchester this weekend. Should the 22-year-old complete the move, he will become the third midfielder recruited for Michael Carrick’s squad during this transfer window. Baleba, who operates as […]
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Sprint icon Usain Bolt could be preparing to play for a high-profile Sunday league side in Greater Manchester after his name was added to the club’s online squad roster. The eight-time Olympic gold medallist, who retains the 100m and 200m world records, is listed as a Wythenshawe FC Veterans player on the Football Association’s Full-Time […]
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