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Barcelona icon, Xavi tests positive to Covid-19.

Barcelona great and Al Sadd manager, Xavi has tested positive. He revealed the development on his instagram page. He is asymptomatic and now in self-insolation.

He wrote on Instagram: ‘A few days ago, following the QSL (Qatar Stars League) protocol, I tested positive in the last COVID19 test. Fortunately, I’m feeling ok, but I will be isolated until I am given the all clear. When the health services allow it, I will be very eager to return to my daily routine and to work. I’d like to thank all the authorities, especially those working in [the] QSL, [the] QFA (Qatar Football Association) and [at] Al-Sadd for supplying the means of early detection, reducing the spread of infection and that guarantees the normal development of the competition.’

The 40 year-old Xavi will be absent from the club’s Qatar Stars League game against Al Khor on Saturday. The midfield maestro will not be able to oversee the club’s training sessions. He is temporarily replaced by David Prats, Al Sadd’s reserves coach.

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 La Liga, Sports

Former Arsenal manager, Unai Emery appointed Villareal manager.

La Liga side, Villarreal have appointed former Arsenal coach, Unai Emery as their manager, the Spaniard’s first managerial role since his dismissal from Arsenal last November. He replaces Former Villarreal boss Javier Calleja who left the club last week after leading them to a 5th position on the  La Liga. Emery  replaced legend, Arsenal Wenger as manager in May 2018.

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 Sports

No Ballon d’Or in 2020.

The Ballon d’Or awards, one of the most prestigious football awards will not be awarded this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This is happening for the first time since 1956. A statement from France Football, organizers of the event reads below.

“There will be no edition in 2020, because it turns out, after thoughtful consideration, that all the conditions are not met. We believe that such a singular year cannot -and should not- be treated as an ordinary one.

From a sports perspective, two months (January and February), out of the eleven generally required to form an opinion and decide who should lift the trophies, represent far too little to gauge and judge; without forgetting that the other games were played – or will be played – in unordinary conditions (behind closed doors, with five replacements, Champions League’s Final 8 played in a single game).

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Finally, the equity that prevails for this honorary title will not be warranted, especially when it comes to accounting and preparation: all the award seekers will not be in the same boat, some having seen their season cut short. Therefore, how can we establish a fair comparison? To avoid overly convoluted calculations and projections, we chose the least bad of the options.

This decision, which was taken of course with all the Group stakeholders, does not delight us but it seems to be the most responsible one. Protecting the credibility and legitimacy of such an award also means ensuring its flawlessness over time.

The Ballon d’Or will gather again the football big family and enthusiasts in 2021, to relive the happiness that surrounds the ceremonies as we have experienced them in recent years ».

The France Football Dream Team at the end of the year

Instead of the four usual winners (men and women BO, Kopa and Yachine Trophies), France Football will designate 11 players at the end of the year and establish an all-time team chosen by the usual BO jury (180 juries from all over the world).
The idea? Each jury will choose 11 players from a list of names established by FF redaction to build their Dream Team. This team of legend will be unveiled on L’Équipe and France Football various channels.

With this development, Barcelona’s Lionel Messi will remain the football player with the most Ballon d’Ors in history this year.

 

 

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 La Liga, Sports

Current Barca team lacks identity- Dani Alves

Former Barcelona right-back Dani Alves has offered his thoughts on what is wrong with his former team. The  37-year-old who left Barcelona for Italian giants Juventus in 2016 after almost a decade in Catalonia is of the opinion that the current Blaugrana lacks identity on the pitch.

“What this Barça lacks is the identity it has always had, like Ronaldinho’s Barça, our Barça. The identity of a team that dominates for 90 minutes, 100 minutes, or 150 minutes. Barça are there for people to enjoy. Now what I see, from the outside, is that Barça are just another team. They used to have an understanding throughout the team and made things look easy.” He told Catalunya Radio

Also Read: Liverpool’s replica home shirt becomes the highest selling in their history.

“What this Barça lacks is the identity it has always had, like Ronaldinho’s Barça, our Barça. The identity of a team that dominates for 90 minutes, 100 minutes, or 150 minutes. Barça are there for people to enjoy. Now what I see, from the outside, is that Barça are just another team. They used to have an understanding throughout the team and made things look easy.” He told Catalunya Radio

Speaking on his ex teammate, Lionel Messi’s frustration at the club, the Brazilian chipped in.

“Leo is a natural winner. He doesn’t like losing. When the team loses it’s normal he gets angry, he always wants to win. Just like me. We always want to win.

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“He sees, what I feel, and that’s a lack of support. I’ll always say that Messi is the main course and we were the perfect ingredients for that plate. Now I have the feeling that he’s doing everything, all the time, and we must remember he’s only human.”

Barca were beaten 2-1 at home by Osasuna on Thursday, handing the LaLiga title to their rival, Real Madrid. An emotional Lionel Messi spoke of the need for the club to change to continue the Champions League race.

“We need to change a lot, otherwise we will also lose against Napoli, I already said before that playing like this we won’t be able to fight for the Champions League and you see, we could not even fight for the league. We need to be self-critical.”

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 English Premier League, Sports

Football fans could return to UK stadiums from October.

UK stadiums will be reopened to spectators from October, British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson has announced. Recall that the stadiums were shut in March 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic and matches have been played behind closed doors after the return of the Premier League on June 17.

“We will pilot larger gatherings in venues like sports stadiums with a view to a wider reopening in the autumn, from October, we intend to bring back audiences in stadiums. Again, these changes must be done in a Covid-secure way, subject to the successful outcome of pilots.” He said on Friday.

The government has  outlined operating guidelines for that to happen. They include:

  • Fans must agree to a new code of behaviour that includes not attending if they potentially have symptoms of coronavirus or have been exposed to a person who has tested positive;
  • Social distancing must be observed in seating arrangements;
  • Crowd management plans should be in place, including the controlled entry and exit of fans and one-way systems;
  • Additional hygiene facilities should be installed inside venues, particularly at entrances and exits;
  • Screening procedures should be considered at stadium entrances.

Sports minister Nigel Huddleston spoke of his excitement about the news.“For months, millions of us have felt the void of being unable to go to the match to support our team or attend a top-class sporting event, So I am pleased that we are now able to move forward with a plan to help venues safely reopen their doors to fans.  I recognise that not every sport, team or club has the benefit of huge commercial revenue, and it is often their dedicated fans that are the lifeblood which helps keep them going. By working closely with sports and medical experts, these pilots will help ensure the safe return of fans to stadiums. Although it will remain some time before venues are full to capacity, this is a major step in the right direction for the resumption of live spectator sport across the country.”

 

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 English Premier League, Sports

“It’s a disgraceful decision.” -Klopp, Mourinho knock CAS over Man City decision.

Tottenham and Liverpool managers, José Mourinho and Jürgen Klopp have criticized CAS’ decision to overturn Manchester City’s two-year Champions League ban.  Man City was initially punished by UEFA in February when they were banned from competing in the Champions League or Europa League for two years and given a €30m fine for breaching Financial Fair Play rules.

Pep Guardiola’s side on Monday had their appeal against a ban from UEFA competition for breaking Financial Fair Play rules lifted by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). This means the defending champions will be able to play in next season’s Champions League but the club will still have to pay a fine, which has been reduced from €30 million (£25m/$33m) to €10m (£9m/$11m).
Reacting to the decision, Klopp said, “I don’t think it was a good day for football yesterday (Monday), to be honest,” Klopp told a virtual news conference on Tuesday. “FFP is a good idea. It is there for protecting teams and the competition so that nobody overspends and have to make sure the money they want to spend is based on the right sources.”
Morurinho described it as a disgraceful decision. He told reporters in a virtual news conference ahead of Wednesday’s clash against 13th-placed Newcastle United. “In any case it’s a disgraceful decision because if Manchester City are not guilty then they should not be punished with the fine, If you’re not guilty, you shouldn’t have a fine. If they are guilty, the decision is also a disgrace and they should be banned from the competition. I don’t know if Manchester City are guilty or not, but either way it’s a disgraceful decision.”
He added that the system needs to be overhauled if it is to continue to serve its purpose which is to aim to stop clubs running big losses through spending on players.
“I think this is going to be the end of Financial Fair Play, because there is no point, I would like to see it used in a proper way. At this moment we are talking about Manchester City, but in the past other clubs were in a similar situation. I think it’s better to open the circus door and let everybody enjoy.”

“Whilst Manchester City and its legal advisors are yet to review the full ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, the club welcomes the implications of today’s ruling as a validation of the club’s position and the body of evidence that it was able to present. The club wishes to thank the panel members for their diligence and the due process that they administered.” City responded to the verdict.

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The five substitutions rule may be extended to next season.

Fair or not?

The International Football Association Board (IFAB) are set to announce the temporary extension of the rule allowing teams to make up to five substitutes in one game to cover the 2020/21 season,  the Athletic reports. This decision will surely stir up some controversies as it will only benefit the bigger, richer teams with deeper squads.

In some quarters, it has been described as  “A move that may fuel inequality, improve the quality at the very top level, and may have some unpredictable side effects.”

IFAB introduced the five substitutes rule just for a short term as they looked to provide clubs with a greater chance of protecting their players from injuries and fatigue during a very hectic schedule. he IFAB ‘are expected’ to discuss the current issues surrounding the offside rule in the coming months.

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 English Premier League, Sports

‘If I answer I’m going to be in trouble’ – Jose Mourinho reacts to Eric Dier’s ban.

Tottenham coach, Jose Mourinho has reacted to the punishment handed to the England and Tottenham midfielder over fan confrontation. The Tottenham player who climbed into the stand following Spurs’ FA Cup exit to Norwich back in March to confront a fan who was arguing with his brother was banned for four matches and fined £40,000 by the Football Association. An independent panel ruled it was not his sole intention to protect his brother when he entered the stands that his behaviour was ‘objectively threatening’.

The Portuguese coach is apparently not happy with the FA decision has chosen to keep mum on the matter. Asked about it ahead of Thursday’s Premier League trip to Bournemouth, the former Chelsea and Manchester United coach said, “No reaction, I prefer no reaction. I am not going to answer if I answer I am going to be in trouble and I don’t want to be. So no comment on that.” 

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His ban means the 26-year-old will not feature in Tottenham’s remaining Premier League fixtures. On appealing, he added: “I don’t think so, if you appeal you have other risks. At least let’s start next season without a suspension. We all know how it works at these FA decisions. You have access if you want to the record of successful appeals and unsuccessful appeals. I don’t think so, I don’t think we’re going to appeal.”

Speaking more on the player, Mourinho said, “I think he had a strange season.” “He’s doing well. We look forward to next season when he’ll be a center-back.” “He’ll be an important player for us.”

Also Read: Dele Alli handed one-match ban for social media post.

“We appreciate some filmed the incident and others simply watched. But, that of itself does not prevent it being, when viewed objectively, threatening. His conduct caused or contributed to the spectator fleeing. It is also no doubt why a number of people held him back from exit 103 and stopped him from pursuing the fleeing spectator. Eric Dier’s conduct may not have been threatening to those holding him back, but we are satisfied it was threatening towards the spectator, and also when viewed objectively.” The FA wrote

 

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 English Premier League, Sports

Liverpool’s replica home shirt becomes the highest selling in their history.

All thanks to their long -awaited victory.

Premier League champions, Liverpool have run out of replica shirts after selling a record-breaking 1.7million this season, the highest selling in their history. The kit produced by US-based manufacturer, New Balance will no longer be produced, following a new relationship between the Champions of England and ace sports kit manufacturer, Nike.  The club has sold so much so that they are about to run out of them.

Also Read: Photos from Liverpool FC’s Premier League title celebration.

Liverpool has achieved record shirt sales for each of the past three seasons and they are looking to breaking their sales record again next season, with the Nike deal, believed to be worth £30m-a-year, set to become the most lucrative in Anfield history. The new contract will start on August 1st, 2020.

Liverpool FC sealed the 19th league English Premier League title last Thursday, as Chelsea beat Manchester City, bringing their end to their 30-year title drought.

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Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen named best African footballer in France.

Nigerian forward, Victor Osimhen has won the 2020 edition of the Marc-Vivien Foe Award as the Best African Player in the French Ligue 1. The Lille player who scored 13 goals & made 5 assists in 27 appearances for Lille and 18 goals in all competitions is the youngest-ever recipient of the Prix Marc Vivien-Foé, named in honour of the late Cameroon player who died aged 28 in 2003.

The 21-year-old emerged the winner from a list of 11 African footballers who were shortlisted for the award. Algeria’s Islam Slimani (Monaco) finished 2nd in voting for the Marc Vivien Foe prize for the Best African player of the 2019-20 French Ligue 1 season, Slimani (9 goals, 8 assists in 18 appearances) finished second.

Also Read: La Liga to press criminal charges against Mallorca-Barcelona pitch invader.

“It’s something I’ll treasure forever, I’m really proud to have this award with [Marc Vivien Foé’s] name on it.” He said in a telephone interview.

He was voted top African player in Ligue 1, the French top flight, by a panel of 100 journalists. Past winners include Aubameyang, Dede Ayew, Chamakh & Gervinho are all past winners. He becomes the second Nigerian after Vincent Enyeama to win it.

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