The families of Brentford players Ivan Toney and Rico Henry were racially abused at Everton on Sunday.Ivan Toney Toney and Henry helped Brentford secure a 3-2 win against nine-man Everton at Goodison Park as the Bees continued their fine form under Thomas Frank. Toney was involved in the key moment of the game when Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite was shown a straight for card for bringing him down when clean through, and Henry scored a second-half winner. It was a sweet result for Brentford after fireworks were set off outside their hotel in Liverpool in the early hours of Sunday morning. After the game, … Continue reading Premier League footballers Ivan Toney and Rico Henry say their families were racially abused at Everton

Former Spanish youth international Santi Mina has been sentenced to four years in prison after being found guilty of sexual abuse.Santi Mina The 26-year-old, who has scored 84 goals in over 300 appearances for LaLiga clubs Celta Vigo and Valencia, will appeal the verdict and must serve time if that fails. On Wednesday, Mina was found guilty on one charge of sexual abuse but was cleared of a sexual aggression charge. Spanish club Celta said it had removed the player from its squad until the appeal process is completed. It also opened disciplinary proceedings to determine the options the club can take. David … Continue reading Spanish footballer sentenced to four years in prison for sexual abuse

Italian football agent Mino Raiola is reportedly “very ill” following false rumours of his death. The Italian, 54, is one of the most notable agents in world football, representing the likes of Erling Haaland, Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic among a number of other high-profile clients.Mino Raiola Reports in Italy announced the agent had died on Thursday morning following an illness. Yet sources close to the Italian were quick to say that these were “fake rumours”. Jose Fortes Rodriguez, a close colleague of the Italian, told reporters: “He’s in a bad position, but he hasn’t died.” Taking to Twitter on … Continue reading Update: Mino Raiola ‘fighting to survive’ after Italian reports claimed super agent had died

Mino Raiola, the football ‘super agent’ whose extensive star-studded client list included the likes of Erling Haaland, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba, has reportedly died. Italian media reported on Thursday afternoon that the 54-year-old had passed away after an illness. However, the reports have not been confirmed by his family or agency. Raiola was hospitalised in Milan in January and was reported then to have undergone “very delicate” surgery on an undisclosed issue at San Raffaele. A message from his Twitter account at that time stated that he had not had major surgery, but merely underwent planned routine medical checks … Continue reading Football’s ‘Super agent’ Mino Raiola reportedly dies aged 54

Former Colombia captain Freddy Rincon is in a critical condition with severe head injuries after being involved in a car crash in Cali. Rincon was driving a car in which there were four other people when it was in collision with a bus early on Monday. All passengers in the car were injured, as was the bus driver. “Freddy Eusebio Rincon arrived in hospital this morning with a traumatic brain injury,” said the Imbanaco Clinic. Former Real Madrid midfielder Rincon, 55, scored 17 goals for Colombia and played at three World Cups. He shares with Carlos Valderrama the record for … Continue reading Former Colombia footballer Freddy Rincon involved in car crash

Italian FA President Gabriele Gravina has accused clubs in the country’s top division of focusing too much on foreign players following their shock World Cup play-off semi-final defeat. Aleksandar Trajkovski’s last-gasp goal earned minnows North Macedonia a shock 1-0 victory in Palermo and a meeting with Portugal for a place at this year’s tournament in Qatar. The defeat will almost certainly spark an inquest in Italy, who will now miss a second straight World Cup after missing the 2018 showpiece in Russia after similar heartbreak against Sweden. But Gravina who sat next to boss Roberto Mancini in the post-match press conference – slammed … Continue reading Closet Racist: Italian chief hits out at Serie A clubs after World Cup play-off loss

European champions Italy will not play in the 2022 World Cup after being stunned by North Macedonia in their play-off in Palermo. Aleksandar Trajkovski picked up the loose ball in the 92nd minute, drove forward and fired a sensational winner from outside the area. The goal sparked wild celebrations on the North Macedonia bench, while Italy’s players and coaching staff dropped to their knees in front of their home fans. It means Italy have failed to qualify for a second consecutive World Cup, ensuring the Azzurri will endure at least 12 years between appearances at football’s showpiece event. It is … Continue reading Shocking: Italy knocked out of 2022 World Cup by North Macedonia

In a contest featuring explosive attacking talent, pedigreed defenders, and at least three midfielders that can be filed among the best in the world, naturally the League Cup final was framed by the goalkeepers involved. And that was long before a penalty shoot-out decided the showpiece in Liverpool’s favour, which saw Chelsea’s Kepa Arrizabalaga spring off the bench and into spot-kick action in a narrative-fuelled twist that ordained he wildly skied his effort over the bar after a sensational series of takes. Perhaps it was a touch of destiny given the pre-match attention on who would be selected in-between the sticks at Wembley. Jurgen … Continue reading Liverpool wins Carabao Cup due to Kepa Arrizabalaga’s costly miss

Former Zimbabwe footballer Charles Yohane has died in South Africa at the age of 48 in a car-jacking incident.Charles Yohane (R) Defender Yohane was in the Warriors’ squad for their debut appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations in 2004. Following retirement from soccer, he had been working in Johannesburg as a football coach and a taxi driver. His body was found in Soweto on Monday, though it is believed he died on Saturday night. “He was hijacked, they took his car and shot him in the head,” his brother Lewis said. Yohane moved from Zimbabwe to South Africa in … Continue reading Former Zimbabwe footballer shot in South Africa

Footballers who play for China’s national team have been banned from getting tattoos – and advised to remove ones they have – under a new directive. The country’s sports administration body said recruiting new players with tattoos at national level and to youth squads was “strictly prohibited”. The administration said the move would help set a “good example for society”. Some national stars, including defender Zhang Linpeng, have previously been told to cover their tattoos. China has been increasingly stepping up regulation since mid-2018 to stop tattoos being shown on screens. Some professional footballers have since been covering their arms … Continue reading China bans its national football players from getting tattoos

Hugo Maradona, the brother of Argentine legend Diego Maradona, has died of a heart attack at the age of 52. Hugo, who was also a professional footballer, died at his home near Naples, the city in which Diego played at his peak from 1984 to 1991. It comes 13 months after older sibling Diego, widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, died from cardiac arrest at the age of 60. In a nomadic career, Hugo played in Italy, Spain, Japan and Argentina. Hugo Maradona joined Diego at Napoli in 1987 but failed to make an impact and … Continue reading Tragic: Diego Maradona’s younger brother dies aged 52

Brazil legend Pele is in hospital for treatment for a colon tumour. The three-time World Cup winner had surgery to remove a colon tumor in September, with the hospital saying at the time that he would also need to have chemotherapy. Sao Paulo’s Hospital Albert Einstein said the 81-year-old was in a stable condition and would be discharged in the next few days. The hospital also said Pele was now “continuing” his treatment. Pele said on Twitter last month that he was “fine” and “feeling better every day” following his release from hospital in September. He had been having treatment at … Continue reading Brazil legend ‘Pele’ back in hospital for treatment on colon tumor