FOOTBALL - The African Mirror

Nov

05

2023

Invest in Man Utd with Ratcliffe? I support Guardiola, says Wolff

FOOTBALL

MERCEDES Formula One boss Toto Wolff has suggested his support of Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola would make it hard to join team co-owner Jim Ratcliffe in buying into rivals Manchester United. Ineos's Manchester-born billionaire chairman Ratcliffe is poised to take a 25% stake in the Premier League side. Asked whether he might be tempted to join the Briton, Austrian Wolff -- also a co-owner of the Mercedes team -- distanced himself from any immediate involvement. "Here we go," he told Sky Sports television when the question was put to him. Wolff said Ratcliffe was "such a clever person" that he would…

Nov

04

2023

By The African Mirror

Colombia’s ELN guerrillas says kidnapped father of soccer star Luis Diaz will be freed soon

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A representative of Colombia's National Liberation Army (ELN) guerrillas said that the group will free the father of Liverpool football star Luis Diaz "as soon as possible", days after kidnapping him in the country's north. Diaz's mother Cilenis Marulanda and father Luis Manuel Diaz were taken by armed men as they were driving in La Guajira province on Saturday. Marulanda was freed within hours. Liverpool's Luis Diaz during the warm-up before the match. REUTERS/Molly Darlington

Nov

03

2023

By KAROLOS GROHMANN

Mainz surprised by latest El Ghazi statement on Gaza, will make legal checks

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A new statement by Mainz 05 forward Anwar El Ghazi regarding the Israel-Hamas war has left his Bundesliga club perplexed considering he was sanctioned just days ago after posting another comment about the conflict on social media. The Dutch player, who was handed a warning and suspended following his previous remarks about the war, was cleared to return to training on Monday after showing remorse, the club said in a statement at the time. El Ghazi, however, posted another statement on Wednesday that the club said was 'incomprehensible' and would now examine it from a legal perspective. "For the avoidance…

Nov

03

2023

By MARTYN HERMAN

Beleaguered Ten Hag needs away-day boost at Fulham

FOOTBALL

SO dire has Manchester United's home form been this season that perhaps the only saving grace as they prepare for the next match of a so-far torrid campaign is that it is away at Fulham. Erik Ten Hag's stumbling United side were booed at halftime and full-time on Wednesday as they surrendered the League Cup with a 3-0 home defeat by Newcastle United. It was their second successive 3-0 home loss and they have lost five of their 10 home games in all competitions. They are not exactly pulling up trees away from home either and fans will not have…

Nov

02

2023

By The African Mirror

Saudi Arabia sole bidder to host 2034 World Cup, FIFA says

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SAUDI Arabia was the only football association to present a bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup before the deadline closed, soccer's global governing body said on Tuesday. FIFA had invited bids from Asia and Oceania for the tournament by October 31, and Saudi Arabia announced it would bid only minutes after the announcement on October 4. Australia said on Tuesday it would not be presenting a bid to host the tournament, leaving Saudi Arabia as the only candidate. "As established in the Bidding Regulations approved by the FIFA Council, the FIFA administration will conduct thorough bidding and evaluation…

Nov

01

2023

By The African Mirror

Messi wins record eighth Ballon d’Or for best player in the world

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ARGENTINA captain Lionel Messi won a record-extending eighth Ballon d'Or for the best player in the world, beating Norway's UEFA Player of the Year and Treble winner Erling Haaland of Manchester City to the prestigious prize. Inter Miami's Messi, who last won the award in 2021, played a pivotal role in guiding Argentina to their first World Cup title in 36 years in Qatar last season.

Nov

01

2023

By The African Mirror

Vinicius vows to continue fight against racism as he wins Socrates Award

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REAL Madrid winger Vinicius Jr will keep speaking out against racism in world soccer after receiving the Socrates Award at the Ballon d'Or ceremony for his contribution off the field. Vinicius, who has been racially abused regularly in LaLiga games for the last two seasons, was recognised for starting a foundation that is building schools in impoverished areas and investing in education in Brazil. "I will remain strong in the fight against racism," said the Brazilian, who received the award from the Prince of Monaco. "It is a very sad thing to talk about racism nowadays, but we have to…

Nov

01

2023

By The African Mirror

Saudi Arabia clear to host 2034 World Cup after Australia drops out

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SAUDI Arabia was left as a shoo-in to host the 2034 World Cup after Australia confirmed it would not make a bid for soccer's global showpiece on Tuesday's deadline day. World soccer's governing body FIFA had invited bids from Asia and Oceania for the tournament by October 31. Football Australia (FA) boss James Johnson had said the country was "exploring the possibility" of 2034, but on Tuesday the domestic governing body said it would instead focus on bids for the 2026 Women's Asian Cup and the 2029 Club World Cup. Australia's decision not to proceed with 2034 leaves Saudi Arabia…

Oct

31

2023

By JULIEN PRETOT

French football again left reeling by rioting fans as Olympics loom

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FRENCH football was again marred by violence after Olympique de Marseille's Ligue 1 match against Olympique Lyonnais was called off when the visitors' bus and some fans were pelted with stones and beer bottles, injuring Lyon coach Fabio Grosso. Grosso, a World Cup winner with Italy in 2006, sustained facial injuries during the incident, leaving league officials to deal with another episode of rioting fans. Since Sunday's incidents happened outside Marseille's Stade Velodrome, the French League (LFP) has no jurisdiction to impose points deductions, although it could decide that the game has to be played behind closed doors. Interior Minister…

Oct

31

2023

By The African Mirror

Talking points from European soccer

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TALKING points from the weekend in European soccer leagues: SPAIN GIRONA KEEP IMPRESSING IN BELLINGHAM'S LALIGA Real Madrid's England midfielder Jude Bellingham has dominated headlines again after another magnificent performance, scoring twice to secure a 2-1 win at Barcelona on Saturday. But Real do not have LaLiga's title race all their own way as Girona are level on 28 points with the Spanish giants after beating Celta Vigo 1-0 on Friday, their ninth win in 11 games. The surprise package of the season so far, Girona's 3-0 defeat at home to Real in late September are the only points dropped…