FOOTBALL - The African Mirror

Nov

02

2023

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…

Oct

30

2023

By FERNANDO KALLAS

Ancelotti praises “stupendous” Bellingham after Clasico double

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REAL Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti hailed Jude Bellingham as 'stupendous' after the midfielder scored twice to earn his side a 2-1 fightback win at Barcelona in Saturday's LaLiga 'El Clasico'. Ancelotti said the 20-year-old Englishman kept surprising him with his maturity and that he gave Real the spark they needed to recover against a Barcelona side who dominated proceedings before succumbing due to two late stunners. "(Bellingham) looks like a veteran out there because of his attitude. His first goal changed the dynamic completely of what was a difficult game for us," Ancelotti told a press conference. "I can't deny…

Oct

28

2023

By The African Mirror

Man Utd’s Onana supports Garnacho over gorilla emoji post

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MANCHESTER United's goalkeeper, Andre Onana, said teammate Alejandro Garnacho should not face any repercussions for his use of gorilla emojis in a recent social media post. The 19-year-old Garnacho included the emojis in a post featuring a photo of himself and Onana celebrating the Cameroonian goalkeeper's remarkable save of an injury-time penalty against FC Copenhagen on Tuesday. Garnacho later deleted the post, but English media reported that the Football Association (FA) had been made aware of the post and contacted the Argentinian. "People cannot choose what I should be offended by. I know exactly what Garnacho meant: power & strength.…

Oct

27

2023

By FERNANDO KALLAS

Injury doubts haunt Barcelona ahead of Saturday’s Clasico against Real Madrid

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BARCELONA manager Xavi Hernandez is facing serious injury concerns as his team prepares to host rivals Real Madrid in the LaLiga 'El Clasico' on Saturday. Xavi had to call up eight academy players for their Champions League match against Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday, as the Catalonian side grappled with injuries to eight key players, including Polish striker Robert Lewandowski. Barca secured a hard-fought 2-1 win against Shakhtar thanks to a brilliant display by 20-year-old Fermin Lopez, who is becoming a regular in the first team. Despite earlier reports suggesting that last year's LaLiga top scorer Lewandowski and midfielder Frenkie De…

Oct

27

2023

By The African Mirror

Swiss prosecutors end proceedings against FIFA boss Infantino

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CRIMINAL proceedings against FIFA President Gianni Infantino over his dealings with former Swiss attorney general Michael Lauber have been closed, Swiss prosecutors said, a decision Infantino hailed as a vindication of "the new FIFA". Infantino was elected in 2016 to clean up the world soccer body FIFA after it became embroiled in corruption scandals. However, Swiss authorities launched proceedings against Infantino himself in 2020 on suspicions of secrecy violations, abuse of office and aiding and abetting related to meetings he held with Lauber. In ending the proceedings, prosecutors said their investigations had "invalidated" such suspicions. Swiss-Italian Infantino, who had repeatedly…