Insults aimed at Real Madrid soccer player Vinicius Jr have triggered a fierce debate about racism in sport and whether Spanish society has a problem with the issue. Spanish police have arrested three people in connection with racist abuse directed at Vinicius Jr, who confronted fans of Valencia football club in the Mestalla stadium who he accused of directing monkey chants at him. After the match, the Brazilian international said the Spanish football league “belongs to racists”. In the wake of the incident, the president of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, warned against allowing “fascism and racism” to dominate … Continue reading Vinicius Jr racism incident sparks wider debate in Spain

Juventus have been docked 10 points following a new hearing into the club’s past transfer dealings. Juve were initially handed a 15-point penalty in January but Italy’s highest sporting court overturned that decision in April and ordered the case to be re-examined. The new ruling was announced on Monday, before the team’s 4-1 defeat at Empoli. The penalty drops Juve to seventh place in Serie A, outside the European qualification spots. Napoli have already secured the Serie A title and, before Monday’s ruling, were 17 points ahead of second-placed Juve. “It was a strange situation, 10 minutes before the match the … Continue reading Juventus docked 10 points in Serie A over transfer dealings

Manchester City delivered a relentless performance laced with outstanding quality to overpower holders Real Madrid and reach the Champions League final against Inter Milan in Istanbul. City have lost two previous semi-finals to Real but they made no mistake here at a joyous Etihad Stadium to now stand one step away from claiming the trophy that has always stayed tantalisingly out of reach for Pep Guardiola’s team. And their display in a magical first half, in particular, will live long in the memory as the masters of this tournament were left bewildered by City’s brilliance. It maintained a seemingly unstoppable … Continue reading Manchester City in final of Champions League as they thrash Real Madrid

Barcelona president Joan Laporta says the club is Messi’s “home” as they look to re-sign the forward this summer. The Argentine’s contract at Paris St-Germain expires in June, with reports linking him to Saudi Arabia. But in an interview with Spanish broadcaster TV3, Laporta said Barcelona can compete with anyone for the 35-year-old’s signature. “History backs us, the feelings are too strong, we have 400 million fans around the world too,” he said. Messi left the Catalan giants two years ago after 21 years at the club but has struggled during his two seasons in France, with fans booing him after … Continue reading Barcelona is home of Lionel Messi says club president Joan Laporta

Roma boss Jose Mourinho says he wore a microphone to “protect” himself against “the worst referee I have met in my life” during his side’s 1-1 draw with Monza on Wednesday. Mourinho criticised referee Daniele Chiffi after he sent off Roma’s Mehmet Zeki Celik in the 96th minute. He has received three red cards this season for disputes with officials, including one from Chiffi in September. “I went to the game with a microphone. I recorded everything,” Mourinho said. “From the moment I left the locker room, to the moment I returned – I protected myself. “He [Cheffi] is the … Continue reading LOL: Roma boss Jose Mourinho wore microphone to protect self from ‘worst referee’

Napoli won their first Serie A title for 33 years as they drew with Udinese at Dacia Arena to spark jubilant celebrations back in Naples. They last won the league in 1990 with a Diego Maradona-inspired side adding to their first title three years earlier. Victor Osimhen smashed in a 52nd-minute equaliser after Sandi Lovric had given Udinese a shock lead. And Napoli held on to the point they needed to win their third Serie A title with five games to spare. “Seeing Neapolitans happy is enough to give you a sense of that joy they are feeling,” Napoli boss … Continue reading Sweet Sensation: Napoli wins first Serie A title after 33-year wait

Lionel Messi will leave Paris St-Germain this summer at the end of his current contract. The Argentine World Cup winner had reached an ‘agreement in principle’ to extend his stay for another year but neither club nor player now want to sign the deal. Messi is unconvinced the club can compete at the top of the European game, due to financial issues, while the French champions want to focus on developing young talent. The 35-year-old was suspended by PSG for two weeks on Tuesday after travelling to Saudi Arabia without the club’s permission. He signed a two-year deal in Paris in … Continue reading Lionel Messi to leave Paris St-Germain at end of season

Italy striker Ciro Immobile is being treated for back and rib injuries in hospital after his car was involved in an accident with a tram in Rome. Photographs show police at the scene of a collision between a tram and a car. Immobile, 33, scored in Lazio’s 3-0 Serie A win at Spezia on Friday. Lazio said he had a “sprain trauma of the spine” and a “compound fracture” of his right rib but that “conditions are currently good”. A club statement read: “The player remains under observation at the department of emergency medicine directed by Professor Francesco Franceschi of … Continue reading Italian footballer Ciro Immobile in hospital after serious car accident

Ajax’s Dutch Cup semi-final at Feyenoord was stopped for almost 30 minutes after Davy Klaassen suffered a head injury when he was hit by an object thrown from the stands. The ex-Everton midfielder was celebrating by the corner flag after putting Ajax ahead early in the second half when he was struck. The referee took the players down the tunnel, before Ajax went on to win 2-1. Police later said a 32-year-man had been arrested. Feyenoord assistant John de Wolf had come out during the 28-minute suspension in play to urge home fans to “use your common sense” before the … Continue reading Ajax midfielder Davy Klaassen injured by object thrown from stands at Feyenoord

Graham Potter has been sacked as Chelsea head coach following a largely unimpressive reign. The decision comes after the Blues were beaten 2-0 by Aston Villa in the Premier League on Saturday. Potter, who signed a five-year deal at the club, enjoyed a promising start to life at Chelsea by going nine games unbeaten. Then, after he lost 4-1 to his former side, the Englishman would guide the Blues to just two wins in nine games. Potter was quickly under immense pressure to transform the clubs fortunes but, with his back against the wall, he struggled to turn things around. A … Continue reading Graham Potter sacked by Chelsea as Todd Boehly ends troubled reign

Fifa has stripped Indonesia of hosting rights for the Under-20 World Cup. The decision follows the cancellation of the official draw for the tournament, which was due to be held in Bali last Friday. The Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) said Fifa was forced to cancel the draw after Bali’s governor Wayan Koster refused to host the Israeli team. The U20 World Cup is set to take place from 20 May to 11 June. Indonesia does not have any formal diplomatic ties with Israel and recently protesters have held marches demanding Israel be stopped from competing in the tournament, in … Continue reading Fifa strips Indonesia of right to host Under-20 World Cup

An Egyptian referee has been suspended indefinitely by the country’s FA, after allegedly disallowing a goal after looking at footage on a spectator’s phone.  Mohamed Farouk took charge of an Egyptian Second Division clash between Al-Nasr and Suez on Friday, and in the absence of VAR, relied on an alternative system to get a second look at a late goal.  With the hosts Suez 2-1 up heading into the final few minutes, Al-Nasr scored a dramatic equaliser to earn a point on the road.  However, after vociferous protests from home supporters, Farouk was invited to use a fan’s phone to watch … Continue reading LOL: Egyptian referee is suspended for using mobile phone to rule out a late goal