I could see another change at left-back, with Nico O’Reilly coming in for Djed Spence. Without O’Reilly, we lacked creativity and quality down the left, and we actually looked more dangerous in the 15 minutes after he came on than for the rest of the match. He found excellent positions, offered more on the ball,...

Jimmy Rimmer, the European Cup-winning goalkeeper who played for Aston Villa and Manchester United, has died aged 78. The Southport-born keeper was a substitute when United beat Benfica to claim the 1968 European Cup. He started Aston Villa’s 1-0 win over Bayern Munich in the 1982 European Cup final but was replaced by Nigel Spink...

Madibo’s suspension appears to be at the harsher end of the punishment scale. At the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, Uruguay forward Luis Suarez received a nine-match ban for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini. In 1994, Italy defender Mauro Tassotti was banned for eight games for elbowing Spain’s Luis Enrique, leaving the now-Paris St-Germain boss...

In August 2021, the unthinkable happened: Messi left Barcelona on a free transfer. After 21 years, 672 goals and 35 trophies, financial restrictions under La Liga’s salary cap meant the club couldn’t register the new contract they had agreed, forcing his departure. At an emotional news conference, a tearful Messi said he and his family...

For Elanga, there was little to lose. Sweden trailed the Netherlands 4-0 when the substitute was introduced in their second World Cup group match. Within four minutes, the 24-year-old raced clear and capped a blistering counter with a goal. He carried that surge into a starting role against Japan, cutting inside before curling in an...

Fenerbahce ready to splash out on Marcus Rashford; RB Leipzig holding firm with Real Madrid over Yan Diomande; Arsenal begin talks for Bruno Guimaraes. Fenerbahce are prepared to spend heavily to entice Manchester United and England forward Marcus Rashford, 28, to Turkey this summer. (Sun) Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande, 19, will skip RB Leipzig’s...

Jonathan Ford, who led the Football Association of Wales (FAW) from 2009 to 2021, says qualification for major tournaments—especially Euro 2016—brought in significant revenue, leaving the FAW with more cash to invest. That funding was spread across the game, including women’s and grassroots football, and he believes it transformed the women’s set-up. Uefa vice-president Laura...

Juventus intensify talks for Guglielmo Vicario and drop their pursuit of Emiliano Martinez, Manchester City face a fight for Pedro Neto, and Real Madrid target Martin Zubimendi. Juventus are progressing negotiations with Tottenham on a loan deal with an option to buy for 29-year-old Italian goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario. (Sky Sports) Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez,...

England midfielder Jordan Henderson suffered a serious wrist injury while celebrating the dramatic World Cup last-16 win over Mexico, manager Thomas Tuchel said. Henderson appeared to slip from the advertising boards at Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium, landing awkwardly, and was carried off on a stretcher. The 36-year-old Brentford player has so far featured only for...

PSV head coach Peter Bosz said Driouech will not feature against Excelsior on Sunday following Rangers’ decision, but he intends to bring the winger back into the squad as soon as possible. Bosz admitted he was surprised, believing the clubs had already reached an agreement and that everything was settled. He added that he has...

This summer’s World Cup has been marked by several controversies linked to the United States, which is staging 78 of the tournament’s 104 matches. In April, rights organizations advised fans, players, journalists and other visitors to exercise caution when traveling to the US. More than 120 groups jointly issued a travel advisory, citing what they...