Premier League’s most polished midfielder N’Golo Kante on verge of exiting Chelsea for Saudi’s Al Ittihad
A number of current stars are anticipated to be leaving, including the likes of Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Edouard Mendy, Mateo Kovacic, Kalidou Koulibaly and Cesar Azpilicueta. Should Kante leave, the Blues would be left with few players capable of playing in a deeper midfield role, with Kovacic linked with a switch to treble-chasers Manchester City.
Inside Arab world plan to pull rag from under Western cultural dominion, expand the emirate via sports
Saudi Arabia’s announcement will also bring controversy. The nation has a terrible human rights record, homosexuality is illegal and there are severe restrictions on freedom of speech and women’s rights. This relaunch will bring accusations of ‘sportswashing’ – that by repackaging its flagship competition for global consumption, Saudi Arabia is attempting to repackage its reputation in front of a global audience.
Man City’s stock soars above Real Madrid as English clubs dominate Brand Finance ranking
Arsenal’s brand value had risen 16 per cent to £782 million following their strong challenge for the Premier League title. Chelsea’s had risen by two per cent to £742 million off the back of a disappointing campaign and lower half finish, making them only the sixth-highest English club. Spurs’ value rose five per cent to £774 million.
Technology-fuelled racism in football is a haunting throwback to 1980s-style monkey chants and banana-throwing in stadiums
A report last year from Fifa, the governing body of world soccer, showed that more than 50 per cent of players competing in two international tournaments in 2021 – the African Cup of Nations and the European Championship – received some form of discriminatory abuse in more than 400,000 posts on social media. More than a third were of a racist nature.
Expert says racism in football is often caused by jealousy of Black players’ flair, exuberance native Europeans lack
Experts believe the global outrage, widespread reaction and outpouring of support for Vinícius following his latest abuse could mark a turning point in the fight against racism in Spain. It certainly struck a chord in Brazil, where there were protests outside the Spanish Consulate in Sao Paulo, while the Spanish league is now seeking to increase its authority to issue sanctions. Its protocol up to now has been to detect and denounce incidents and pass evidence to courts, where cases are typically shelved.
World Cup winner Lionel Messi ignores Barcelona interest, sets eyes on Arabia’s Al Hilal FC in $1.28 billion deal
PSG suspended Messi for two weeks without pay (although he returned a week earlier than planned) after he missed training earlier this month because of a trip to Saudi Arabia. Messi’s trip to Saudi Arabia was officially explained as being for commercial reasons.
How Kenya’s gritty Kipyegon kept the Faith to obliterate a strong field to set 1,500m world record in Italy
“We have really come along as 1500 women,” Kipyegon said. “They are really special. We come along together, cheer one another. This is sport, we have to love each other and celebrate one another at our lowest moments and highest moments, and I really thank the ladies for coming along and running together and celebrating this world record together. We were part of this together.”
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta pushing hard to add Dutch wonderkid Simons to his young Gunners
The 20-year-old Dutch international has a clause in his contract that allows him to return to Paris Saint-Germain for €12 million ($12.9 million) this summer, but the Parisians are not PSV’s biggest problem at the moment. That is because Arsenal are vying for the former Barcelona man’s signature. Mikel Arteta has proven in recent seasons that he can develop young talents, which will be attractive to Simons
Sports charity fears referees might be murdered after ‘Donald Trump of football’ harassed Europa League final referee
The Ref Support chief executive stressed that Roma manager Mourinho should receive a ban and Roma an additional punishment for the actions of their head coach.
How free scoring Erling Haaland has elevated Man City market valuation to astronomical levels
There is a belief that Haaland is bringing in a new wave of younger fans, who start supporting clubs through their idols rather than any pre-existing connection. Haaland quickly became an icon at Borussia Dortmund and further cemented that in his first year here.
