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☆ Africa Cup of Nations: After making disastrous start, host Ivory Coast is on a roll under interim coach and win over Senegal
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

“We had a difficult start, conceding an early goal, but I told the players at half-time to keep playing the same way, not get confused,” Ivory Coast interim coach Emerse Fae told reporters after the match. “There was a lot of pressure before the match, and match day was too long for me,” he said. Former Ivory Coast coach Jean-Louis Gasset was remarkably sacked during the tournament after that 4-0 defeat to Equatorial Guinea, as the team stood on the brink of an early elimination on home soil. “We must not stop here; we must continue working, maintain this morale, and keep playing match by match,” the coach asserted. Ivory Coast will now play either Mali or Burkina Faso in the quarterfinals.

Persons: Charles Konan, “, Emerse Fae, Fae, ”, Habib Diallo, Pierre Atcho, Edouard Mendy, Kenzo Tribouillard, Atcho, Franck Kessié, Senegal’s Moussa Niakhaté, Kessié, Jean, Louis Gasset, Morocco’s Organizations: CNN, Africa, of Nations, Ivory, Elephants, Senegal, Arsenal, Pepe, AFCON, Former Ivory Coast Locations: Senegal, Ivory, Egypt, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, AFP, Zambia, Mali, Burkina Faso

☆ Wrexham takes resounding 6-0 win against Morecambe, confirming status as a promotion contender
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-26 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Life in League Two had initially proved more difficult but, as the holiday season approaches, Wrexham is establishing itself as a promotion contender again in the next flight up, sitting in second place, five points behind Stockport County. The Red Dragons confirmed those credentials on Saturday with a resounding 6-0 win against Morecambe, capped by forward Paul Mullin’s hat trick. Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds, owners of Wrexham, celebrate with the National League trophy in April. Jan Kruger/Getty ImagesMullin added another two goals for his first hat trick of the season and James Jones completed the rout in extra time as Wrexham moved up to second place in League Two. “You could sense there was a determination in the group and what a way to respond with an emphatic 6-0 victory.

Persons: Ryan Reynolds, Rob McElhenney, Will Ferrell, Paul Rudd, Paul Mullin’s, Reynolds, McElhenney, ” Joel Senior’s, Mullin, Jacob Mendy’s, Jan Kruger, James Jones, Accrington Stanley, “ We’re, you’ve, Phil Parkinson, “, we’re Organizations: CNN, soccer, Wrexham, Football League, Disney, Stockport, Red Dragons, Morecambe, National League, Getty, League, Accrington, BBC Locations: Welsh, Wrexham, Stockport County

☆ Mendy sues Man City over unpaid wages after rape charges
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Mendy was found not guilty of one count of rape and one of attempted rape by a British court in July after being acquitted of six counts of rape and one count of sexual assault in January following allegations made by multiple women. Mendy's lawyer Nick De Marco confirmed he was acting for Mendy in a "multi-million pound claim for unauthorised deductions from wages" in an emailed statement to Reuters. "Manchester City FC failed to pay Mr Mendy any wages at all from September 2021, following Mr Mendy being charged with various offences all of which he was subsequently acquitted of, until the end of his contract in June 2023," the statement added. Mendy, currently at Ligue 1 side Lorient, joined City from AS Monaco in 2017 for a fee of around 52 million pounds ($64.80 million). ($1 = 0.8025 pounds)Reporting by Anita Kobylinska in Gdansk and Sam Tobin in London; additional reporting by Lori Ewing; Editing by Christian RadnedgeOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Benjamin Mendy, Phil Noble, Mendy, Nick De Marco, Mr Mendy, Anita Kobylinska, Sam Tobin, Lori Ewing, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Chester Crown Court, REUTERS, Manchester City, Premier League club, France, Mendy, Reuters, Manchester City FC, Ligue, Lorient, City, AS Monaco, Thomson Locations: Chester, Britain, Mendy, Gdansk, London

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández is keeping his cards close to his chest before the first “clasico” of the season. They all returned to training Friday, a day before Madrid arrives with a one-point lead in the Spanish league standings. “I will play my best players, those that are 100% ready,” the Barcelona coach said. Political Cartoons View All 1223 ImagesMadrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said he wasn't worried who played for Barcelona as long as Jude Bellingham was ready to go. Regardless of who plays for the host team, Xavi has a huge task in finding a way to stop Bellingham and Vinícius Júnior.

Persons: Xavi Hernández, Robert Lewandowksi, de Jong, Pedri González, Jules Koundé, “, Ferran Torres, Carlo Ancelotti, wasn't, Jude Bellingham, Bellingham, Ancelotti, Xavi, Vinícius, ” Xavi, Ronald Araújo, De Jong, Oriol Romeu, Gavi Paéz, “ Oriol, ” Bellingham, Karim Benzema’s, Toni Kroos, Federico Valverde, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Luka Modric, Eduardo Camavinga, “ Camavinga, Mendy, ” Ancelotti, Yamal, Fermín López Organizations: —, Madrid, Barcelona, Braga, Champions League, Bellingham, Manchester, Xavi’s, La Masia, Shakhtar Donetsk Locations: BARCELONA, Spain, — Barcelona, Barcelona, Lewandowski, Poland, Bellingham, Manchester City, Madrid, Saudi Arabia

AdvertisementAdvertisementWalmart employees say working with anti-theft technology at self-checkouts has led to some tense confrontations with customers. The seven former and current Walmart employees Insider interviewed had direct experience with the company's anti-theft self-checkout technology. Athenia Camacho, a former Walmart employee, detailed the process in a recent TikTok video. Walmart prohibits employees from accusing customers of stealing, even if theft is suspected, the seven people who spoke with Insider said. Another Walmart employee in Missouri said she was told to approach customer confrontations with the mindset: "Don't blame the customer.

Persons: —, they're, we're, Joe Pennington, Athenia Camacho, Camacho, Jeffrey Greenberg, SAMUEL CORUM, Dominick Haar, Patti Leroy, Leroy, Dominick Organizations: Walmart, Service, Employees, Universal, Getty, SCO Locations: Arkansas, Florida, Miami , Florida, Doral, Illinois, Missouri, AFP, Southern Illinois, Kentucky

☆ Diaz and Joselu on target as wasteful Real sink Las Palmas
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( Fernando Kallas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MADRID, Sept 27 (Reuters) - Real Madrid bounced back from their painful derby loss with a 2-0 home LaLiga win over lowly Las Palmas on Wednesday thanks to goals from Brahim Diaz and Joselu. The hosts were by far superior side but squandered more than a dozen clearcut chances in the first half, with Diaz and Joselu missing sitters from close range. Arda Guler, who was expected to be available against Las Palmas after recovering from a knee operation, sustained a thigh injury in training that will further delay his debut for the team. Vinicius did come off the bench in the second half after missing four consecutive games for his club. Real moved up to second place on 18 points, leapfrogging third-placed Barcelona who were held to a 2-2 draw by Mallorca on Tuesday.

Persons: Brahim Diaz, Joselu, Carlo Ancelotti, Jude Bellingham, Diaz, Alvaro Valles, Lucas Vazquez, David Alaba, Dani Carvajal, Ferland Mendy, Vinicius Jr, Thibaut Courtois, Eder Militao, Arda Guler, Vinicius, it's, Movistar, Fernando Kallas, Ed Osmond Organizations: Madrid, Las Palmas, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Las, Real, Mallorca, Tuesday, Villarreal, Wednesday, Thomson Locations: MADRID, Las, Las Palmas, Rodrygo, Barcelona, Girona

☆ Cristiano Ronaldo says his long-standing ‘rivalry’ with Lionel Messi is over
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( Thomas Schlachter | Vasco Cotovio | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi? But according to Ronaldo himself, the “rivalry” between the pair has disappeared since they swapped European clubs for pastures new – Ronaldo moving to Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia and Messi to Inter Miami in the US. Those who like Cristiano Ronaldo don’t have to hate Messi. Ronaldo and Messi spent the height of their careers playing in Spain for Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively, which helped to heighten the rivalry between the players – and their fans. Messi also added 10 LaLiga titles and Ronaldo won two.

Persons: CNN — Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Ronaldo, Cristiano Ronaldo don’t, Messi, They’re, Blancos, Ballon, – Ronaldo, “, ” Ronaldo, I’ve, ” Messi, Tim Nwachukwu, ”, “ It’s, Ahmed Yosri, Neymar, Karim Benzema, N’Golo, Kalidou Koulibaly, Edouard Mendy, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mané, Marcelo Brozović Organizations: CNN, Messi, Inter Miami, Portugal, Real Madrid, League, Spanish, MLS, Saudi Pro League, Reuters, “ Locations: Al, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Barcelona

☆ Vinicius Jr sidelined for several weeks with thigh injury
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-28 | by ( Fernando Kallas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MADRID, Aug 28 (Reuters) - Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr. is expected to be sidelined for a number of weeks after the LaLiga club said he had suffered a thigh muscle injury during last Friday's match at Celta Vigo. Jr by the Real Madrid medical services, the player has been diagnosed with an injury to the right biceps femoris muscle. The 23-year-old's injury is the latest setback to hit Real Madrid, whose goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and defender Eder Militao are expected to be out of action for the rest of the season with ACL tears. New-recruit Arda Guler will also be sidelined for several months as he recovers from knee surgery. Midfielder Dani Ceballos and fullback Ferland Mendy are also recovering from muscle injuries suffered during the first few weeks of the season.

Persons: Vinicius Jr, Vini . Jr, Thibaut Courtois, Eder Militao, Arda Guler, Dani Ceballos, Ferland Mendy, Fernando Kallas Organizations: Real Madrid, Celta Vigo, Reuters, Bolivia, Vini, Thomson Locations: MADRID, Real, Peru

☆ Factbox: Saudi transfers this summer
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Aug 22 (Reuters) - Saudi clubs have spent over 750 million euros ($813.45 million)in the close season signing players with the new Saudi Pro League season having kicked off on Aug. 11. Following are the main clubs' recent large purchases:Al-Ittihad (manager: Nuno Espirito Santo since 2022)N'Golo Kante from Chelsea. (40 million pounds)Al-Ahli (manager: Matthias Jaissle since 2023)Edouard Mendy from Chelsea. (40 million euros)Otavio from Porto. (40 million euros)Malcom from Zenit Saint Petersburg.

Persons: Nuno Espirito, N'Golo Kante, Karim Benzema, Matthias Jaissle, Edouard Mendy, Roberto Firmino, Mahrez, Allan Saint, Franck Kessie, Roger Ibanez, Merih Demiral, Luis Castro, Marcelo Brozovic, Alex Telles, Seko, Sadio Mane, Jorge Jesus, Kalidou Koulibaly, Ruben Neves, Sergej Milinkovic, Savic, Malcom, Yassine Bounou, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Steven Gerrard, Moussa Dembele, Jack Hendry, Jordan Henderson, Tommy Lund, Ken Ferris, Ed Osmond, Toby Davis Organizations: Saudi Pro League, Nuno Espirito Santo, Manchester City, AS Roma, Atalanta, Inter Milan, Manchester United, RC Lens, Bayern Munich, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Zenit Saint Petersburg, Paris St Germain, Fulham, Olympique Lyonnais, Club Brugge, Thomson Locations: Saudi, Ittihad, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Celtic, Liverpool, Al, Ahli, Manchester, Newcastle, Barcelona, Porto, Hilal, Lazio, Paris, Sevilla, Gdynia

☆ Neymar praises Cristiano Ronaldo for helping the Saudi Pro League grow
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-17 | by ( Thomas Schlachter | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Today, you see the league grow more and more,” the former PSG forward told Al Hilal’s social channels. Since then, Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kanté, Kalidou Koulibaly, Edouard Mendy, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mané and Marcelo Brozović have been among the star names to move to the Saudi Pro League. Yes, surely the league will be very competitive especially after the signings made in this summer transfer window.”Neymar joined Al Hilal from French giant PSG. Saudi Pro League/Handout/ReutersThe Brazilian forward spent six years with PSG, winning 13 major trophies along the way. Neymar will now star for Al Hilal alongside the likes of Sergej Milinković-Savić, Rúben Neves and Malcom who have also made summer moves to the club.

Persons: CNN — Neymar, Germain, Cristiano Ronaldo, Al, Ronaldo, Nassr, Karim Benzema, N’Golo, Kalidou Koulibaly, Edouard Mendy, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mané, Marcelo Brozović, Al Nassr, Yasser Bakhsh, Neymar, “, ”, ” Neymar, Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi, Al Hilal, Sergej, Rúben Neves, Malcom Organizations: CNN, Saudi Pro League, Al Hilal, Paris Saint, PSG, Al, Manchester United, Reuters, League Locations: French, Paris, Al Hilal, City of, Paris –

☆ Neymar joins Saudi club Al-Hilal from PSG in two-year deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Saudi Professional League (SPL) club Al-Hilal announced that Neymar had signed a contract until 2025, with the Brazilian saying, "I am here in Saudi Arabia, I am Hilali" in a video on the team's social media accounts. "I love winning and scoring goals, and I plan to continue doing that in Saudi Arabia and with Al-Hilal." He scored 118 goals in 173 appearances for the Paris club and won numerous trophies, including five Ligue 1 titles. Neymar won the Champions League with Barcelona in 2015 but had to settle for a runners-up medal in the 2020 final, which PSG lost to Bayern Munich. SAUDI TRANSFERSThe most successful club in Saudi Arabia and Asia, Al-Hilal have won 66 trophies and hold the record for number of league and Asian Champions League titles with 18 and four respectively.

Persons: Al Hilal's, Neymar, Fahd bin Saad Al, Al, Nasser Al, Khelaifi, Germain, We've, Pele, Hilal, Cristiano Ronaldo, Nassr, Ittihad, Karim Benzema, Riyad Mahrez, Edouard Mendy, Roberto Firmino, Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi, Angelica Medina, Aadi Nair, Anita Kobylinska, Ken Ferris Organizations: Soccer, Al, Saudi Pro League, REUTERS Acquire, Saudi, Paris St Germain, Champions League, L'Equipe, Saudi Professional League, PSG, Paris, Ligue, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint, Confederations, SAUDI, Asian Champions League, Saudi Public Investment Fund, Qatar, French, Real Madrid, UEFA Champions, France, Argentine, Major League Soccer's Inter Miami, Thomson Locations: Al Hilal, Paris, France, Hilal, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Europe, Al, Barcelona, Asia, Riyadh, Ittihad, Ahli, Portugal, Real

☆ Neymar: Paris Saint-Germain agrees deal with Al-Hilal to sell Brazil forward, according to reports
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Paris Saint-Germain has agreed to a deal with Saudi club Al-Hilal to sell forward Neymar Jr. for a fee of around €90 million ($98.5M) plus add-ons, according to multiple reports. Ekhbariya, a state-owned television company in Saudi Arabia, posted on social media on Monday: “Al-Hilal club officially agrees with Brazilian star Neymar in a record transfer deal from Paris Saint-Germain. When contacted by CNN, a spokesperson for PSG said the club had “no information to give currently.” CNN has also reached out to Al-Hilal. In six years in the French capital, Neymar has helped PSG win 13 major trophies, including five league titles and three French Cups. Now, Neymar looks to set to join a fast-growing list of star names moving to the Saudi Pro League.

Persons: Germain, Neymar, “ Al, Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi, Messi, Mbappé, Cristiano Ronaldo, Nassr, Karim Benzema, N’Golo, Kalidou Koulibaly, Edouard Mendy, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mané, Marcelo Brozović Organizations: CNN, Paris Saint, Saudi, Al, Sky Sports, PSG, Champions League, European, Bayern Munich, League, Major League Soccer, Inter Miami, Saudi Pro League, Portugal, Manchester United Locations: Hilal, €, Saudi Arabia, Paris, Brazilian, Al, Barcelona, Europe

☆ Neymar set for Saudi's Al Hilal after PSG agree deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Fernando Kallas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Summary Saudi state media report deal is doneTwo year deal would net Neymar $175 millionBrazilian joined PSG in 2017 for record 222 million eurosAug 14 (Reuters) - Brazil forward Neymar is headed for Saudi Arabia after Pro League side Al Hilal agreed a two-year deal with Paris St Germain, Saudi state media reported on Monday. Al Hilal, managed by Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus, play Al Fayha on Saturday with Neymar expected to wear the number 10 shirt. Al Hilal had tried to sign PSG's France international Kylian Mbappe, who was reinstated into the Paris club's first team on Sunday. Strengthening the squad is a priority for the Riyadh-based club, as the Saudi Public Investment Fund announced in June an investment and privatisation project for sports clubs involving league champions Al Ittihad, Al Ahli, Al Nassr and Al Hilal. Cristiano Ronaldo joined Al Nassr last season soon after the World Cup in a deal which made him the highest-paid athlete on the planet, while Al Ittihad signed Karim Benzema from Real Madrid.

Persons: Al Hilal, Neymar, Jorge Jesus, Al Fayha, Luis Enrique's, Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi, Al Nassr, Cristiano Ronaldo, Al Ittihad, Karim Benzema, Riyad Mahrez, Edouard Mendy, Roberto Firmino, Alan Baldwin, Shrivathsa Sridhar, Angelica Medina, Toby Chopra, Pritha Sarkar, Hugh Lawson Organizations: PSG, Saudi Arabia, Pro League, Al, Paris St, Ligue, Qatar Sports Investments, French, L'Equipe, Reuters, King Fahd, Barcelona, Lorient, Spanish, France, Kylian, Paris club's, Saudi, Major League Soccer's Inter Miami, Asian Champions League, Saudi Public Investment Fund, Al Ittihad, Saudi Pro League, Real Madrid, Champions, Thomson Locations: Saudi, Brazil, Paris St Germain, Paris, Riyadh, Portuguese, Spanish, Barcelona, Al, Saudi Arabia, Asia, Al Ahli, Real, London, Bengaluru, Mexico City

☆ Cristiano Ronaldo scores two goals to lead Al-Nassr to first Arab Club Champions Cup title
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice to help Al-Nassr secure the first Arab Club Champions Cup title in the club’s history. Al-Nassr had to come from a goal behind against fellow Saudi club Al-Hilal to lift the trophy, eventually winning 2-1 after a tense period of extra time. The Arab Club Champions Cup features the biggest clubs from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria and Iraq, and Ronaldo finished as the tournament’s top scorer with six goals in six games. Al-Nassr won the Arab Club Champions Cup for the first time. The 38-year-old said in June that any new signings for Saudi clubs would be “very welcome” to join him in the league.

Persons: CNN — Cristiano Ronaldo, Nassr, Michael, Ronaldo’s, Nawaf Boushal, Ronaldo, Ettifaq, Yasser Bakhsh, Al Nassr, Karim Benzema, N’Golo, Kalidou Koulibaly, Edouard Mendy, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mané, Marcelo Brozović Organizations: CNN, Arab, Saudi, Al, United Arab, Saudi Pro League, Manchester United Locations: Hilal, Al, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Iraq, Portuguese

☆ Saudi league set to kick off after raiding Europe's top clubs
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( Shady Amir | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Soccer Football - Opening of 2023-2024 Saudi Pro League - Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - August 7, 2023 General view of the trophy at the opening of the Saudi Pro League Saudi Pro League Media Office/Handout via REUTERS/File PhotoAug 10 (Reuters) - When the new Saudi Pro League season kicks off on Friday it will herald a new dawn for football in the Gulf kingdom which has spent close to half a billion dollars luring top players and coaches from traditional European powerhouses. Al-Ahli, in particular, are one of the few clubs that have benefited from the Saudi Public Investment Fund's (PIF) project to invest in and privatise clubs, which also include reigning champions Al-Ittihad, Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr. Saudi clubs spent nearly 450 million euros in the close season signing players, most from elite teams in Europe as the PIF created a blueprint for what football fans can expect in transfer windows to come. The league turned heads when Cristiano Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr last season soon after the World Cup in a deal which made him the highest-paid athlete on the planet. The Portugal forward's move paved the way for more household names to sign up for a Saudi league that has increased its size from 16 teams to 18.

Persons: Hazm, Al, Riyad Mahrez, Edouard Mendy, Roberto Firmino, Cristiano Ronaldo, Nassr, Ronaldo's, Nuno Espirito, Karim Benzema, N'Golo, Marcelo Brozovic, Alex Telles, Mane, Luis Castro, Hilal, Jorge Jesus, Ruben Neves, Serbia's Sergei Milinkovic, Savic, Kalidou Koulibaly, Malcom, Steven Gerrard, Jordan Henderson, Ettifaq, Gerrard, Henderson's, Shady Amir, Rohith Nair, Ken Ferris Organizations: Soccer, Saudi Pro League, Saudi Pro League Saudi Pro League Media, REUTERS, Saudi Public Investment, Al, Champions, Saudi, Nuno Espirito Santo, Croatia, Inter Milan, Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Barcelona, Liverpool, Thomson Locations: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Al, Ahli, Ittihad, Hilal, Saudi, Europe, Portugal, Ballon, Senegal, Portuguese, Riyadh, England

☆ DAZN to stream Saudi Pro League matches in six countries including UK, Germany
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon/File PhotoAug 9 (Reuters) - DAZN has secured the rights to stream Saudi Pro League matches for a two-year period in the UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria, Belgium and Canada, the sports video service said on Wednesday. As part of the deal, DAZN will stream three Saudi league matches per week. Since the capture of Portugal forward Ronaldo, the Saudi league has grown in stature by signing top players from Europe, including Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema who left Real Madrid to join champions Al-Ittihad. "The RSL (Roshn Saudi League) is rapidly developing into an international phenomenon, attracting some incredible talent that will only improve an already strong and vibrant competition," Shay Segev, DAZN Group CEO, said in a statement. The new season kicks off on Friday with Al-Ahli -- who have signed Champions League winners like Riyad Mahrez, goalkeeper Edouard Mendy and Roberto Firmino -- taking on Al-Hazm.

Persons: Kim Kyung, DAZN, Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane, Ronaldo, Ballon, Karim Benzema, Shay Segev, Riyad Mahrez, Edouard Mendy, Roberto Firmino, Rohith Nair, Ken Ferris Organizations: REUTERS, Saudi Pro League, Saudi, Al, Bayern Munich, Real, DAZN, RSL, League, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, Ireland, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Portugal, Europe, Real Madrid, Ittihad, Saudi League, Ahli, Bengaluru

☆ Joan Laporta: Barcelona president says there are ‘no sporting reasons’ for soccer stars to join Saudi Pro League
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( Don Riddell | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

“Fortunately, most of the players like Football Club Barcelona,” Laporta told CNN Sport’s Don Riddell from Los Angeles during the Spanish team’s pre-season tour of the U.S., which wrapped up on Tuesday against AC Milan in Las Vegas. “And when a player, and with all respect, prefers to go to Saudi Arabia, basically there are no sporting reasons. Last week, Al-Hilal, which is one of four Saudi clubs owned by the PIF, made a world-record bid of over $332 million (300 million euros) for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) striker Kylian Mbappé. “My view is that it’s more important to have the assistance of the clubs, the traditional clubs, specifically the European clubs,” added Laporta. “The priority of last season was the Spanish league and this new season, for us, the league is the priority as well,” said Laporta.

Persons: Joan Laporta, “, ” Laporta, CNN Sport’s Don Riddell, Germain, Kylian Mbappé, Ballon d’Or, Karim Benzema, N’Golo, Kalidou Koulibaly, Edouard Mendy, Roberto Firmino, Jordan Henderson, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ronaldo, Hussein Malla, ”, Laporta, Xavi, – Pep Guardiola, Johan Cruyff, Pep, Lionel Messi’s, Jorge Messi, Messi, Cruz Azul, Sam Navarro Organizations: CNN, CNN Sport, Saudi Pro League, Football Club Barcelona, AC Milan, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, Saudi, Paris Saint, PSG, Saudi Arabian football, SPL, Al, Gulf state’s, ”, Barcelona, La Liga, Champions League, Spanish League, Liga, Barca, MLS, Inter Miami, Cruz, USA, Sports, Reuters, Camp, Good Locations: Saudi Arabia, Barcelona, Gulf, Los Angeles, Spanish, U.S, Las Vegas, Al, Hilal, Paris, Fabinho, Saudi, Xavi

☆ Kylian Mbappé: NBA stars joke about superstar’s reported salary offer from Saudi club Al Hilal
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-25 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

It’s a proposed deal which reportedly includes a staggering $775 million salary packet for the 24-year-old Mbappé. News of the offer spread through social media on Monday and caught the attention of the NBA’s biggest stars. Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo posted a picture of himself to Twitter, with the caption: “Al Hilal you can take me. It’s a figure dwarfed by the earnings that Mbappé would reportedly receive for one season at Al Hilal. CNN has reached out to PSG, Al Hilal and Mbappé’s representatives for comment.

Persons: Saint Germain, Al Hilal, It’s, Giannis Antetokounmpo, “ Al Hilal, ” Al Hilal, e nch ca, “ Organizations: CNN, PSG, Saudi, Milwaukee Bucks, Twitter Locations: Paris, Saudi Arabian, Al

☆ Saudi soccer dominance could still take 'decades' despite reported $332 million Mbappé bid
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-25 | by ( Elliot Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Aurelien Meunier - PSG/PSG via Getty ImagesSaudi Arabian soccer club Al-Hilal reportedly tabled a world record 300 million euro ($331.9 million) bid for Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappé, a further signal of the kingdom's efforts to shake up the sport's global order. Al-Ahli snapped up Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy and former Liverpool striker Roberto Firmino, and have just agreed a £30 million ($38.54 million) deal to bring in forward Riyad Mahrez from reigning English Premier League and European champions Manchester City. A medium-term threat Soccer isn't the first sport to be rocked by a sudden wave of Saudi investment. This is more like a couple of decades before I think we could see some significant impact." Cristiano Ronaldo stands prior to the Saudi Pro League week 28 soccer match between Al-Nassr and Al-Shabab at Alawwal Park Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on May 23, 2023.

Persons: Kylian, Paris Saint, Germain, Le, Aurelien Meunier, Hilal, Mbappé, Nassr, Cristiano Ronaldo, Marcelo Brozovic, Alex Telles, Ronaldo, Ballon, Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kante, Edouard Mendy, Roberto Firmino, Mahrez, Anmar Al, Khalid Alhaj, Al, Ruben Neves, Kalidou Koulibaly, Sergej Milinkovic, Savic, LIV, Michael Goldberg, DBRS Morningstar, Goldberg, Jude Bellingham, Mohammed Saad Organizations: Paris Saint, Campus PSG, PSG, Getty Images, Al, French, country's Public Investment Fund, Real, English Premier League, Newcastle United, Saudi, — Al, Saudi Pro League, Inter Milan, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, King Abdullah Sports City, Premier League's Wolverhampton Wanderers, Senegalese, Lazio, UEFA, Champions League, England's Premier League, Liga, Germany's Bundesliga, Italian Serie, isn't, DBRS, CNBC, Bayern Munich, Juventus, Borussia Dortmund, Alawwal, Anadolu Agency, Getty Locations: POISSY, France, Paris, Le Havre, Getty Images Saudi Arabian, Qatar, Real Madrid, Spanish, Saudi, Ittihad, Al, Hilal, Ahli, JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, Europe, Italian, Barcelona, Liverpool, Shabab, Riyadh

☆ Jordan Henderson looks set to join a Saudi Arabian club. Once seen as an ally for LGBTQ groups, his move has drawn criticism
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( Amy Woodyatt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

On Thursday, the BBC reported that Liverpool had agreed to Henderson joining Saudi Arabian club Al-Ettifaq in a £12 million ($15.4 million) transfer. Liverpool and Al-Ettifaq did not immediately respond to CNN’s request for comment on Henderson’s widely reported impending transfer. Except Henderson’s transfer has attracted more scrutiny than those other players who have moved to Saudi Arabia. Henderson wears a rainbow captain's armband in support of the Rainbow Laces campaign during a match. The country regularly receives criticism for its treatment of LGBTQ people, women and migrant workers, as well as its human rights record.

Persons: Jordan Henderson’s, He’s, Jürgen Klopp’s, Henderson, Ettifaq, Ballon d’Or, Karim Benzema, N’Golo, Kalidou Koulibaly, Edouard Mendy, Roberto Firmino –, Laurence Griffiths, ‘ Football Ally, Mr Henderson, ” “, ’, 3LionsPride, “, Robbie de Santos, Jordan Henderson, ” De Santos, ” Organizations: CNN, England, Liverpool, English Premier League, Champions League, BBC, Saudi Arabian, Saudi Professional League, Stonewall, ‘ Football, Human Rights, Ukraine, Twitter, LGBT, CNN Sport, Communications, Affairs Locations: Saudi Arabia, Dammam, Al, Saudi, England

☆ Cristiano Ronaldo says Saudi league is better than MLS following Lionel Messi’s move to Inter Miami
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-18 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Cristiano Ronaldo has claimed the Saudi Arabian soccer league is better than Major League Soccer (MLS) just a day after long-time rival Lionel Messi completed his move to the US to play for Inter Miami. “The Saudi league is better than MLS,” Ronaldo said following Al Nassr’s 5-0 pre-season friendly defeat to Celta Vigo, Reuters reported. The 38-year-old said last month that any new signings for Saudi clubs would be “very welcome” to join him in the league. Since then, Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante, Kalidou Koulibaly, Edouard Mendy and Roberto Firmino have been among the star names to move to the Saudi Pro League (SPL). Ronaldo also said he would never return to Europe to play soccer as the strength of the leagues are diminishing.

Persons: CNN — Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Messi, Germain, “, ” Ronaldo, Al Nassr’s, Al Nassr, Karim Benzema, N’Golo, Kalidou Koulibaly, Edouard Mendy, Roberto Firmino, Ronaldo, ”, Mike Ehrmann Organizations: CNN, Saudi Arabian, Major League Soccer, Inter Miami, Paris Saint, Saudi, MLS, Celta Vigo, Reuters, Manchester United, Saudi Pro League, ESPN, Premier League, SPL, Al Locations: Saudi, Saudi Arabia, Europe, Al Ittihad

☆ Former Manchester City footballer Benjamin Mendy found not guilty of rape and attempted rape Benjamin Mendy: Former Manchester City footballer found not guilty of rape and attempted rape
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-14 | by ( Matt Foster | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

London CNN —Former Manchester City footballer Benjamin Mendy has asked for privacy to begin “rebuilding his life” after he was found not guilty on a charge of rape and a separate charge of attempted rape. But jurors at the time failed to decide on two charges, resulting in the second trial. Outside court, Mendy said, “Alhamdulillah,” meaning “praise be to God” in Arabic. Mendy, who plays as a left-back, was suspended by Manchester City in August 2021 when the original charges against him were announced. He began his career playing professional leagues in France for Le Havre, Olympique de Marseille, and Monaco before moving to Britain to play for Manchester City.

Persons: Benjamin Mendy, Mendy, “, Jenny Wiltshire, “ Benjamin Mendy, ” Organizations: London CNN — Former Manchester City, French, Chester Crown, CNN, Crown Prosecution Service, CPS, Manchester City, Le Havre, Olympique de Marseille Locations: England, France, Monaco, Britain

☆ Real Madrid dethroned as ‘Kings of Europe’ as the club looks to usher in new generation of stars
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Even before the full-time whistle blew in Manchester City’s 4-0 mauling in the Champions League semifinal Wednesday, Real Madrid players looked to have accepted their fate. To see a club like Real Madrid get put to the sword is always a surprise, but it’s even more shocking when you consider it was this team – in this competition. Luka Modrić has been one of the best players in the world during his time at Real Madrid. In truth, the chastening defeat against Manchester City has only amplified what madridistas already knew. Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti looked on as his side lost 4-0 on Wednesday.

☆ Ryan Reynolds says Wrexham's dramatic win over Notts County was 'just bananas'
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-11 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Hollywood actor Ryan Reynolds says he will “never be the same again” after watching Wrexham AFC take a huge step towards promotion in dramatic fashion on Monday. Wrexham has four games of the regular season remaining to secure automatic promotion to the Football League. Just the drama attached to all of it.”On his last-gasp penalty save, Foster added: “That adrenaline buzz there, that moment gives you goosebumps. The club had been languishing outside the top four divisions of English football, known as the Football League, for over a decade but now seems to be on an exciting path up the football pyramid. Wrexham is one of a number of Welsh clubs that play in the English football league system due to being founded before the creation of the Welsh football league.

☆ Snakes, rats and reptilian squatters: single family rental investors get a rude awakening as landlords
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-20 | by ( Alex Nicoll | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Single-family-rental landlords are like most other homeowners, just at scale. Indeed, rising interest rates have drastically reduced access to capital for everyone, including single-family landlords who've borrowed heavily to finance their purchases. Here are a few stories of the wild world of institutional single-family-rental property management. An iguana stuck inside a Divvy Homes property in Florida. Single-family-rental landlords face the twin challenges of customer service and homeownership, often at the same time.

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