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☆ How soccer club Juventus is becoming one of the leading sports brands on social media despite 'tough times' on the pitch
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-09 | by ( Marta Biino | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Juventus is a 127-year-old Italian soccer club with a long history of success. With 32.7 million followers, Juventus' account is the fifth-most-followed soccer team on the platform, and its audience is bigger than that of the NBA or WWE. It's also the sixth in the world across all social media, according to data from the soccer analysis platform Football Benchmark. From left: Juventus players Wojciech Szczęsny and Kenan Yıldız with YouTuber Celine Dept during the launch day of Juventus Creator Lab. One of the areas of the new Juventus Creator Lab.

Persons: It's, Juventus, Mike Armstrong, Cristiano Ronaldo, Paulo Dybala, Armstrong, Filippo Alfero, he's, we've, fandoms, it's, Wojciech Szczęsny, Kenan Yıldız, Celine, Daniele Badolato Organizations: Juventus, UEFA Champions, NBA, WWE, Business, Juventus FC, Amazon Prime, YouTube, EA Sports, Getty, Juventus FC At Locations: Italian

☆ Google DeepMind wants to make AI a part of soccer
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-13 | by ( George Glover | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Google DeepMind launched a prototype AI soccer tactics tool last month. DeepMind developed the tool with Liverpool FC, known for its data-driven approach to soccer. AdvertisementGoogle DeepMind is bidding to bring artificial intelligence (AI) into soccer by launching a new tool to help coaches make better tactical decisions. DeepMind researchers published their findings in the scientific journal Nature Communications. Google DeepMindHaving that knowledge on hand helped the collaboration between DeepMind and Liverpool to run smoothly, according to Veličković.

Persons: Google DeepMind, DeepMind, —, Zhe Wang, Didier Drogba, Divock, Chelsea's Didier Drogba, Ian MacNicol, Petar Veličković, Billy Beane, Ian Graham, they've, Liverpool —, Monterrey's Sergio Canales, Yuri Cortez, We're, Wang, it'll Organizations: Google, Liverpool FC, Service, English Premier League soccer, Nature Communications, Soccer, Former Ivory Coast, Chelsea, Liverpool, FC Barcelona, UEFA, Boston Red Sox, Fenway Sports Group, Liverpool FC's, Ph.D.s, Harvard, Inter Miami, Getty Locations: London, Cambridge, Anfield, DeepMind, Liverpool, AFP

☆ Lamine Yamal: Spanish TV channel to ‘stop working’ with pundit Germán Burgos following derogatory comment about Barca teen
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-11 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Spanish television channel Movistar Plus+ says it will “stop working” with pundit and former Atlético Madrid assistant coach Germán Burgos following a derogatory comment he made about 16-year-old Barcelona star Lamine Yamal. Burgos is from Argentina, though he has spent much time in Spain as both a player and coach. “It was not my intention to harm Lamine Yamal in any way, the people of FC Barcelona, the players, UEFA, or the Movistar Plus+ platform where I work,” Burgos wrote on Instagram. My intention was not to disparage Lamine Yamal, quite the opposite. “Movistar Plus+ condemns any type of discrimination and will not allow these type of comments from any of its workers or collaborators tied to the platform.

Persons: Germán Burgos, Lamine Yamal, Germain, Burgos, doesn’t, it’s, ” Germán Burgos, AP Burgos, Lamine, ” Burgos, “, Ricardo Sierra, Barça, ”, Yamal, Xavi, “ He’s, Yamal’s Organizations: CNN, Barcelona’s Champions League, Paris Saint, Wednesday, Argentina’s, Barcelona, PSG, “, Argentina, Europa Press, AP, FC Barcelona, UEFA, Football, Movistar, UEFA Champions League, La Liga, ” CNN, European, Gavi, Real Betis Locations: Spanish, Madrid, Barcelona, Spain, Latin America, Burgos, Argentina, Mono, Atlético Madrid, AFP7, Marca, Yamal

☆ Shakhtar Donetsk: Serhii Palkin was running the biggest soccer club in Ukraine. After war broke out, his life changed forever
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Ben Church | Martynas Ruseckas | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

While he scrambled to keep his young family safe amid the near constant bombardment, Palkin also had the responsibility of looking after Ukraine’s most successful soccer club, Shakhtar Donetsk. Almost two years we have been in these kinds of conditions.”Palkin was named Shakhtar Donetsk’s CEO in 2004, taking charge of the most decorated club in Ukraine. In addition to its domestic dominance, the team regularly competes in the UEFA Champions League, alongside the biggest names of the sport. Since the conflict began, though, six people with direct ties to the club have died, according to Palkin. But many of those players, which the club had invested in before the war, left Shakhtar for free as a result of the ruling.

Persons: Palkin, ” Palkin, Milos Bicanski, didn’t, ”, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, he’s, it’s, Matteo Ciambelli, Fernandinho, FIFA’s, Mykhailo Mudryk, Marvin Ibo, GES Sportfoto Organizations: CNN, Shakhtar Donetsk, CNN Sport, Shakhtar Donetsk’s, UEFA Champions League, Soccer, country’s Premier League, ” Shakhtar, FC Barcelona, Champions League, Shakhtar, Getty, FIFA, Manchester City, Atlético Paranaense, Premier League, Sport, European, European Commission, English Premier League club Chelsea, Barcelona, “, ” Shakhtar Donetsk, Europa League, Marseille Locations: Russia, Ukraine, London, Kyiv, Europe, Germany, Donbas, Crimea, Russian, Brazil, Hamburg

At the center of that growth are newer genres of Afrobeats — the renowned blend of distinct West African music styles — and amapiano, which fuses South African kwaito with African jazz, house music and soulful vocals. The 2022 track became the first led by an African artist to hit 1 billion Spotify streams and has the record for the most weeks — 64 — spent on Billboard’s Pop Airplay chart. And some tracks meld the genres under the African music umbrella. That reach is particularly interesting considering that African music is produced for its people, embodying all aspects of their lives from their culture and experiences to their struggles, LeriQ says. The continent leads mobile device web traffic in the world, according to the U.S. International Trade Administration, translating to more market opportunities for artists.

Persons: ”, Burna Boy’s, Rema’s, Selena Gomez, —, Joey Akan, ‘, Burna, ’, Musa Keys, Boy, Istanbul's, Rema, Davido, Tina Davis, Olamide's, Angélique Kidjo, LeriQ, Nay, Mitego, Chika Anene, gatekeepers, Eric Wainaina, G’bemi Ereku, Nigeria —, Jhello, ” ___ Mureithi, Maria Sherman Organizations: FIFA, International Federation of, Phonographic Industry's, Spotify, Afrobeats Intelligence, UEFA Champions League, Pew Research, U.S . International Trade Administration, United, Afro Nation, AP Locations: ABUJA, Nigeria, Nigerian, Saharan Africa, African, South Africa, Africa, Tanzania, Abuja, Kenyan, Lagos, United States, Statista, Nairobi, Kenya, Johannesburg, Los Angeles

☆ Jürgen Klopp announces shock Liverpool soccer club exit in blow for U.S. owners
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-26 | by ( Elliot Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Jürgen Klopp will unexpectedly step down as Liverpool soccer team manager at the end of this season, the club said Friday. The charismatic German coach joined Liverpool in 2015 and led the storied club to a European Champions League title in 2019 and an English Premier League title in 2020. Klopp replaced Brendan Rodgers at the helm in October 2015, when Liverpool was languishing in 10th place in the Premier League. In the following year, Klopp led the club to a fourth-place finish in his first full season in charge. Liverpool is the most successful club in English soccer by number of awards, winning 68 trophies over its 132-year history.

Persons: Jurgen Klopp, Estadio Wanda Metropolitano, Jürgen Klopp, John Henry, Klopp, Brendan Rodgers Organizations: Liverpool, Champions, UEFA Champions, Tottenham Hotspur, Estadio Wanda, Liverpool soccer, European, League, English Premier League, Reds, FA, England's, FIFA Club, UEFA, Borussia Dortmund, Fenway Sports Group, League Baseball's Boston Red Sox, National Hockey League's Pittsburgh Penguins, NASCAR's RFK Racing, Premier League, Manchester City, City, Chelsea, Norwich City Locations: Madrid, Spain, German, Liverpool, American

☆ Manchester City: Under Pep Guardiola, Phil Foden says the world’s best soccer team feels ‘unbeatable’. Here’s why
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-25 | by ( Callum Sutherland | Amanda Davies | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —For Manchester City star Phil Foden, two major influences have shaped his soccer career: his late grandfather and current manager Pep Guardiola. In his eight years at Manchester City, Guardiola has created a squad atmosphere that has been at the heart of the club’s success. The 23-year-old Phil Foden (C) has already won 14 trophies with Manchester City. From Stockport in Greater Manchester, Foden is a lifelong City fan and joined the club when he was just four years old. At home, in particular, Manchester City has dominated.

Persons: Phil Foden, Pep Guardiola, “, ”, Foden, Guardiola, Naomi Baker, there’s, they’re, We’ve, he’s, David Ramos, Rico Lewis, Oscar Bobb, Lewis, I’ve, Michael Regan, John Terry, they’ve, …, ” Terry, Pep, Jan Kruger, it’s, we’re Organizations: CNN, Manchester City, City, Premier League, FA, League, Men’s, Newcastle United, Guardiola’s, UEFA Champions League, Guardiola, Champions League, Real Madrid, Etihad, Chelsea, England, Globe, CNN Sport, Manchester, Premier League Rules, Abu Dhabi United Group, Liverpool, Copenhagen, Tottenham Locations: Dubai, ”, Stockport, Greater Manchester, Real, overshadows, Anfield

☆ Barcelona crashes out of the Copa del Rey in extra time, La Liga leader Girona also knocked out
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-25 | by ( Samuel Joseph | Sam Joseph | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Barcelona suffered its second disappointing cup defeat in as many weeks on Wednesday, falling to a 4-2 quarterfinal away loss against Athletic Bilbao in extra time. The 16-year-old set a Copa del Rey record in the process, becoming the youngest player this century to score in the competition. Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty ImagesAn upset for the La Liga leadersThis season’s surprise package in Spanish football has been Girona, which is mounting the unlikeliest of title challenges in only the club’s fourth season of La Liga football. However, the Blanquivermells will not get the chance to do the league and cup double after losing 3-2 to Mallorca on Wednesday. Mallorca, which sits 14 places and over 30 points behind Girona in La Liga, raced into a 3-0 lead at home inside the first half to stun the league leaders.

Persons: Iñaki, Nico Williams, Iñaki Williams, “, Xavi, Ander Gillenea, Gorka Guruzeta volleyed, Yuri Berchiche’s, Robert Lewandowski, Lamine Yamal, Oihan Sancet, Nico, Juan Manuel Serrano Arce, Antonio Raíllo, Cristhian Stuani, Rafa Babot, Sávio Organizations: CNN — Barcelona, Athletic Bilbao, Bilbao, Africa, of Nations, Mozambique, Spanish, archrival Real Madrid, La Liga, UEFA Champions League, Napoli, ”, Athletic, ” Barcelona, Getty, Barça, Copa, Rey, La Liga football, Mallorca, Wednesday, Girona Locations: Ivory Coast, Ghana, Spain, La, ” Barcelona, AFP, Girona

☆ How a sports tech investor is raising a new $44 million fund and solving VC's 'broken' due diligence process
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-10 | by ( Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewSports industry vet Craig Thompson is raising $44 million for a new sports tech fund, Match Ventures. Match Ventures has raised about a third of the fund with a goal of closing it within a year. Match Ventures is among other VCs reexamining their approach to due diligence . Match Ventures leaders also bring a combination of sports industry, data, and financial experience that would be valued by many founders. Brams founded sports tech company Oppia Performance and was product director for Genius Sports, a data and tech company.

Persons: —, Craig Thompson, Thompson, Anton Brams, Petr Zhukov, he's, Zhukov, They've, Brams, he'll Organizations: Service, Match Ventures, Mindspring, Ventures, Indigo Sports Tech, Business, Sports, US, Sport, UEFA Champions League, Champions Hockey League, Genius Sports, Credit Suisse, UBS Locations: pickleball, Luxembourg

☆ Erling Haaland gets on back on track in the Champions League as Manchester City defeats BSC Young Boys 3-1
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Samuel Joseph | Sam Joseph | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Powered by a brace from Erling Haaland, Manchester City made it three UEFA Champions League wins out of three as they defeated Swiss side BSC Young Boys 3-1 on Wednesday in Bern. Despite facing mounting pressure, Young Boys managed to frustrate City throughout the first half and the two sides headed into the break goalless. City did extend its lead later when its talisman sealed the game with just five minutes left in regulation time. Haaland curled a right-footed strike past Racioppi to score his 33rd Champions League goal in 37 appearances. “The environment we are in Young Boys are used to.

Persons: Erling Haaland, Anthony Racioppi –, City, Filip Ugrinic, Ederson, Matheus Nunes, Haaland, Doku, Racioppi, Rúben Dias, Manuel Akanji, Zac Goodwin, City’s, Meschak Elia, Rodri, Mohamed Ali Camara, Julián, cooly, Jack, Haaland tucks, Stefan Wermuth, Pep Guardiola, ”, positionally, Rico Lewis, “, ’ Organizations: CNN, Manchester City, UEFA Champions League, Swiss, BSC Young Boys, Young Boys, Champions League, Reuters City, TNT Sports, ”, Young Locations: Manchester, Bern, City, European

☆ Karim Benzema: French Interior Minister makes baseless claim about soccer star
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( Ben Morse | Claudia Colliva | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Speaking to French outlet CNews on Monday, French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin accused Benzema of having connections to the Muslim Brotherhood, a religious and political group which France considers a terrorist organization. And in recent weeks, I’ve been particularly interested, Mr. Benzema is linked, we all know it, notoriously with the Muslim Brotherhood. The Muslim Brotherhood is a religious and political group founded on the belief that Islam is not simply a religion, but a way of life. The Muslim Brotherhood officially rejects the use of violent means to secure its goals. There is no evidence that the Muslim Brotherhood has any connection to Hamas’ attack on Israel.

Persons: CNN —, Ballon, Karim Benzema, Gérald Darmanin, Benzema, Darmanin, I’ve, ’, Gilles Kepel, ”, Sarah Meyssonnier, ” Benzema, “, Benzema’s Organizations: CNN, French, Muslim, French Interior Ministry, UEFA Champions League, Real Madrid, Saudi Pro League, Al, France’s men’s, Palestinian Health Ministry, Reuters, Twitter, Muslim Brotherhood Locations: Israel, France, Ittihad, Gaza, Paris, Palestinian

☆ Streaming companies chase Spanish-language sports rights to capture growing Hispanic viewership
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-06 | by ( Lillian Rizzo | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

It's an effort to diversify viewership and advertising opportunities — and to capitalize on a growing Hispanic streaming audience. Hispanic audiences spend nearly nine hours per day consuming media, the majority of which is TV viewership, according to a recent study from Nielsen based on viewership habits from July. The study noted the Hispanic audience has been at "the forefront of cord-cutting," making it a growing majority of streaming viewership, too. According to the findings, Hispanic viewers spend more than 50% of their time consuming TV through streaming, eclipsing the general population, at nearly 40%. Traditional media companies across the board have been doling out cash for sports as live games still command the highest traditional TV viewership.

Persons: Roberto Firmino, Eder Militao, NBCUniversal's, It's, Shirin Malkani, Perkins, Lea, Eli Velazquez, Lionel Messi Organizations: Liverpool, Real Madrid, UEFA Champions, Liverpool FC, Anfield, . Media, Canela Media, Telemundo, ESPN, Nielsen, Telemundo Deportes, Major League Soccer's Inter Miami Locations: Real, Liverpool, England, Spanish, U.S

☆ Manchester United: Galatasaray piles more misery on Erik ten Hag with stunning Champions League win
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-04 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Boos echoed around Old Trafford once again as Erik ten Hag led Manchester United to yet another home defeat, this time losing 3-2 to Galatasaray in the UEFA Champions League. Michael Regan/Getty ImagesTen Hag said after the match that there were “no excuses” for United’s continuing woes. Darren Staples/AFP/Getty ImagesHowever, the start of the season has surely been worse than even the most pessimistic of United fans would have predicted. Manager Erik ten Hag is under pressure after United's fifth defeat in seven games. “[There’s been] a lot of off-the-field stuff that others wouldn’t have had to contend with in the history of the game,” the 2007/08 Champions League winner added, referring to situations with Mason Greenwood, Antony and Jadon Sancho.

Persons: Erik ten Hag, Rasmus Højlund, Wilfried Zaha, Kerem Aktürkoğlu, –, Mertens, Mauro Icardi, Michael Regan, ”, “, Casemiro, Darren Staples, Sir Alex Ferguson, Rio Ferdinand, “ I’m, ” Ferdinand, Erik, Hag, Martin Rickett, they’ve, Mason Greenwood, Antony, Jadon Sancho, it’s Organizations: CNN, Manchester United, Galatasaray, UEFA Champions League, Theatre of, United, Champions League, Getty, League, Premier League, Former United, TNT Sports, Brentford Locations: Old Trafford, Turkish, AFP

☆ Saudi Arabia is pouring billions into soccer, golf, and Formula 1. Its crown prince doesn't care if anyone calls it 'sportswashing.'
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-30 | by ( George Glover | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Saudi Arabia is pouring billions into sports in a bid to transform its economy. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has made the sector a key part of his Vision 2030 plan. But the reality is that the crown prince has a grander ambition: to level up Saudi Arabia's economic growth. "But Saudi Arabia is piling into other sports too, because they want to achieve a lot in a short period of time." AdvertisementAdvertisementAs Crown Prince Mohammed made clear last week, all this forms part of a broader strategy to supercharge Saudi Arabia's economy through investment.

Persons: Prince Mohammed bin Salman, bankrolled, —, Cristiano Ronaldo, Phil Mickelson, Anthony Joshua, –, Jamal Khashoggi, they've, Steve Luciano, AP Ronaldo, Al Nassr, Ballon, Karim Benzema, Neymar, Sadio, PIF, LIV Golf, Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, LIV, Joshua, that's, Tyson Fury, Oleksandr Usyk, Frank Warren, Prince Mohammed, Mohammed bin Salman, Leon Neal, Simon Chadwick, Chadwick, megastars, Ronaldo –, Salman, bin Salman, Saudi Arabia –, St Andrews, Nick Kyrgios, who've, Elsa, he'd, they'll Organizations: Newcastle United, Service, Washington Post, Saudi, Investment Fund, Premier League, UEFA Champions League, Saudi Public Investment Fund, Newcastle, AP, Saudi Pro League, Georgetown University Qatar, PGA, WWE, Fox News, SKEMA Business School, Indian Premier League, FIFA Locations: Saudi Arabia, Saudi, England, Riyadh, Brazil, Liverpool, Kingdom, Jeddah, Lille, France, Reiche, Iran, Miami, Augusta, bankroll

CBS Sports Chairman Sean McManus has known for over a year when he planned to retire and who would be his successor. His successor will be David Berson, who has been president of CBS Sports for over 10 years. “The reaction has been very positive, so I feel good about everything,” McManus said. McManus was president of CBS News and CBS Sports from 2005 through 2011 before being named CBS Sports Chairman in February 2011. The retirement of McManus will mark the end of a long relationship between his family and CBS.

Persons: Sean McManus, McManus, David Berson, ” McManus, “, “ I’ve, I’ve, ”, George Cheeks, Sean, Berson, Jim McKay, Rick Cordella, Pete Bevacqua, ___ Organizations: CBS, CBS Sports, Paramount Global, NFL, Fox, NFC, Tour, NCAA, Warner Discovery Sports, Turner Sports, UEFA Champions League, Big Ten, SEC, Paramount, CBS News, ABC, NBC Sports Locations: Las Vegas

☆ Belgian Origi joins Forest on loan from Milan
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Sept 1 (Reuters) - Belgian international Divock Origi has joined Nottingham Forest on a season-long loan from AC Milan, the Premier League side announced on Friday. "Divock returns to the Premier League to further add strength to our squad. Origi joined Milan on loan from Liverpool last summer after making 36 appearances in all competitions, including eight in the Champions League. During his eight-year spell he won an FA Cup, League Cup and Premier League title with Jurgen Klopp's side, as well as scoring in semi-finals and final of Liverpool's 2019 UEFA Champions League-winning campaign. Forest visit Chelsea in the Premier League on Saturday.

Persons: Divock Origi, Origi, Andrew Omobamidele, Ibrahim Sangare, Callum Hudson, Odysseas Vlachodimos, Nicolas Dominguez, Nuno Tavares, Divock, Ross Wilson, Jurgen Klopp's, Angelica Medina, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Divock, Nottingham Forest, AC Milan, Premier League, Forest's, Milan, Liverpool, Champions League, Merseyside, League Cup, UEFA, League, Chelsea, Thomson Locations: Belgian, England, Argentine, Portuguese, Belgium, Mexico City

☆ Nebraska volleyball sets world record for attendance at a women’s sporting event, at above 92,000, school says
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-30 | by ( Jacob Lev | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Memorial Stadium was the place to be on Wednesday night when the University of Nebraska women’s volleyball team hosted in-state opponent Omaha. The official attendance of 92,003 in Lincoln – at what normally is the university’s football stadium – set the world record for the largest announced crowd at a women’s sporting event, according to the school. “Nebraska has the best fan base in the world, the best volleyball fans in the world,” Albert said before introducing head coach John Cook. “And I was thinking this morning, there’s only three things that shut down the University of Nebraska: 1) snowstorms, 2) Covid, 3) Nebraska volleyball in the stadium. During what the school called “Volleyball Day,” the record-setting crowd gave a roaring ovation to the fourth-ranked Nebraska volleyball team as players walked onto the court.

Persons: Trev Alberts, ” Albert, John Cook, Cook, there’s, ” Cook, wasn’t, Bob Devaney Organizations: CNN —, University of Nebraska women’s, Omaha, Lincoln –, –, UEFA Champions League, Barcelona, Wolfsburg, Camp, University of Nebraska, Nebraska, Rose Bowl, Huskers, Bob Devaney Sports Center, NCAA, Nationwide Arena Locations: Lincoln, Barcelona, Spain, Camp Nou, Nebraska, “ Nebraska, United States, China, Pasadena , California, Wisconsin, Columbus , Ohio

☆ 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

☆ Saudi soccer league lures Brazilian star Neymar as it seeks to attract 'exceptional players only'
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Natasha Turak | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Saudi Arabia also recruited soccer legends Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema with contracts worth hundreds of millions of dollars, and it's expected to bid to host the 2030 World Cup. Portuguese football star Cristiano Ronaldo poses for a photo with the jersey after signing with Saudi Arabia's Al-Nassr Football Club in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on December 30, 2022. Sports analysts are doubtful that Saudi Arabia will see its ambitions to have a top soccer league realized, even with all the money it can offer to top-tier players. Charles Laberge | LIV Golf | Getty ImagesOther criticism comes from an attitude among many that a Saudi league could never be a serious arena for athletes. Emenalo, himself a former defender for Nigeria's national soccer team and former technical director at English club team Chelsea, called the criticisms "outrageous."

Persons: Kylian Mbappe, Neymar Jr, Jean Catuffe, Neymar, Germain, Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Kalidou, Lyon's Moussa Dembele, Michael Emenalo, Saudi Arabia's, Al, Hilal, Kylian Mbappé, LIV, shockwaves, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Captain Brooks Koepka, Ricky Elliott, Charles Laberge, LIV Golf, Emenalo, it's, Khalid Al, Falih, that's Organizations: PSG, UEFA Champions League, Celtic Glasgow, Paris Saint Germain, Celtic Park, Getty, Getty Images, Saudi, Al, Paris Saint, Brazil national, L'Equipe, Manchester, Saudi Pro League, Nassr Football Club, Al Nassr Football, Anadolu Agency, France national, Sports, American PGA Tour, Saudi Crown, CNBC, Royal Greens, & Country Club, King Abdullah Economic, Nigeria's, soccer team, Chelsea, Saudi League, Guardian, Saudi Investment, Public Investment Fund Locations: Getty Images Saudi Arabia, Hilal, Barcelona, Saudi, Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, Europe, Jeddah, King Abdullah, King Abdullah Economic City

☆ Greek soccer fan dies as soccer fans clash in Athens
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

ATHENS, Aug 8 (Reuters) - A 22-year-old fan died on Tuesday after being seriously injured in violence among fans of AEK Athens and Dinamo Zagreb soccer clubs in Athens, semi-state Athens News Agency reported on Tuesday. The man was stabbed several times in clashes among fans of both clubs outside AEK's football pitch in Nea Philadelphia late on Monday, a police official said. Police said 100 to 120 Dinamo Zagreb fans showed up late on Monday near the AEK stadium, and where AEK fans had gathered. A UEFA Champions League qualifying-round match between AEK and visiting Dinamo Zagreb is scheduled to take place at AEK's stadium on Tuesday. Greek soccer has been plagued by violence on and off the pitch and authorities have repeatedly promised to clean up the game.

Persons: Angeliki Koutantou, Gerry Doyle Organizations: AEK Athens, Dinamo Zagreb, Athens News Agency, Police, AEK, UEFA Champions League, Thomson Locations: ATHENS, Athens, Nea Philadelphia, AEK's

CNN —After the thrill of winning successive Women’s World Cup titles, the 2023 tournament – so far – has brought the US team very much down to earth with a bump. For a team that has been so historically dominant at the Women’s World Cup, performances throughout the 2023 edition so far have been underwhelming for women’s soccer’s most dynastic team. Fans of the US team get ready for the Women's World Cup group game against Portugal. 3 ranked in the world by FIFA, has plenty of World Cup history. Sweden drew with the US in 2015 and also beat them in 2011 – the last time any team defeated the USWNT inside regulation at a World Cup.

Persons: Ana Capeta’s, Vlatko Andonovski, “, Julie Foudy, Buda Mendes, Alex Morgan, ” Morgan, Thailand’s, –, Megan Rapinoe, Morgan, Andonovski, Mallory Swanson, Tobin Heath, Sam Mewis, Catarina Macario, Becky Sauerbrunn, Abby Dahlkemper, Andrew Cornaga, Trinity Rodman, Carli Lloyd, ” Lloyd, Crystal Dunn, Lloyd, ” Andonovksi, ”, Rebecca Welch, Rose Lavelle, Lavelle, Saeed Khan, Cristiano Ronaldo, Sophia Smith, we’ll, Lindsey Horan, ” Andonovski, “ We’re Organizations: CNN, TNT, US, National, Getty, Portugal, New Zealand, Canada, Tokyo, Christen Press, Vietnam, Professional, Chicago Bulls, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics, Montreal Canadiens, UEFA, Leagues, ”, Sweden, FIFA Locations: Portugal, Buda, Thailand, Netherlands, Vietnam, England, New, New Zealand, Sweden, Spain, Auckland, Wellington, AFP, Real Madrid

☆ Manchester United sign $1.1 bln Adidas kit deal for 10 years
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Manchester United's Mason Mount in a preseason friendly, Manchester United v Olympique Lyonnais, in Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh, Scotland, July 19, 2023 Action Images via Reuters/Lee SmithJuly 31 (Reuters) - Manchester United (MANU.N) signed a 900 million pound ($1.1 billion) deal with Adidas (ADSGn.DE) on Monday, renewing the English soccer club's partnership with its official kit supplier for 10 more years. Manchester United, whose U.S. owners have been considering selling the Premier League club, will return to the lucrative UEFA Champions League this year after securing a top-four finish in the domestic league last season under manager Erik ten Hag. "The new deal increases the focus on the Manchester United women's team since their reintroduction in 2018," United said in a joint press release with Adidas. The new deal with Adidas, ahead of the 2023/24 Premier League season starting next month, will continue the partnership until June 2035, the northwest England-based club said. The original agreement with Adidas links a part of the yearly payments to the club's participation in the Champions League, according to the company's latest annual report.

Persons: Manchester United's Mason, Lee Smith, Erik ten Hag, Glazer, Qatar's Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad, Jim Ratcliffe, Bjorn Gulden, Yadarisa, Nivedita Bhattacharjee, Mark Potter Organizations: Manchester, Manchester United, Olympique Lyonnais, Adidas, soccer, Premier League, UEFA Champions League, Nike, Manchester United women's, Champions League, Champions, United, Thomson Locations: Murrayfield, Edinburgh, Scotland, Thani, British, England, Bengaluru

☆ Paris 2024: The war in Ukraine shows no sign of ending. That leaves a dark cloud over the Olympic Games
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-29 | by ( Matt Foster | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Kharlan’s disqualification threw into sharp relief the political and organizational jeopardy that France and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is facing ahead of the Games. So far, no decision has been taken on Russian and Belarusian athletes’ participation at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The opening ceremony is already uniquely French in nature with the Games set to be centered around the Seine, the river running through the city. Organizers also say that the Paris Games “finance themselves,” claiming that 96% of the budget comes from private investment. Next year’s Olympic Games are set to start on July 26 and run until August 11.

Persons: Olga Kharlan, Anna Smirnova, Kharlan’s, Thomas Bach, Russia’s, Smirnova, Russian Anna Smirnova, Ukraine's Olga Kharlan, Tibor Illyes, ” Bach, “, ” Edwin Moses, Nawal El Moutawakel, CNN’s Amanda Davies, Jimmy Carter, ”, Moses, AP El, Emmanuel Macron, Geoffroy Van Der, Tony Estanguet, CNN’s Melissa Bell, “ It’s, Denis the, aren’t, Jimmy Gressier, Tullio M, Estanguet, Shelly, Ann Fraser, Pryce, ” Fraser, Fabrice Coffrini, Katie Ledecky, Ariarne Titmus, Summer McIntosh Organizations: CNN, International Olympic Committee, IOC, Belarusian Olympic, Olympic, US Olympic, USA, US State Department, United, AP, AP El Moutawakel, Games, Eastern Bloc, Getty, Paris, FIFA, Stade de France, UEFA, League, Stade de France –, de Police, BFMTV, RMC Sport, CNN Sport, Paris Games, Paralympic, Paralympic Games Locations: Paris, Ukrainian, France, Ukraine, Belarusian, Russia, Milan, Russian, Soviet, Afghanistan, Morocco, United States, Soviet Union, Los Angeles , California, –, Geoffroy Van Der Hasselt, AFP, Saint, Puglia, Lausanne, Switzerland, Australia, Canada, Seine

☆ Italy's Juventus excluded from European competition next season - UEFA
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The UEFA Club Financial Control Body (CFCB) opened a formal investigation into Juventus in December, months after the Italian side was among eight clubs that reached a settlement with UEFA for failing to comply with break-even requirements. In a statement on Friday, European soccer's governing body said it would "impose an additional financial contribution of 20 million euros on the club. However, we have decided not to appeal this judgment," Juventus Chairman Gianluca Ferrero said. "Following the club's sale in May 2022, the new ownership identified, and proactively reported to UEFA, instances of potentially incomplete financial reporting under the club’s previous ownership," UEFA said. Chelsea, who finished 12th in the Premier League following a chaotic campaign, will not be competing in Europe in 2023-24.

Persons: Gianluca Ferrero, Ferrero, Chelsea, Tommy Lund, Aadi Nair, Pritha Sarkar Organizations: Juventus, Premier League, Chelsea, UEFA Club, UEFA, Conference League, Serie, UEFA Champions, CHELSEA, London, Thomson Locations: Europe, Chelsea

☆ Manchester United raises annual forecast amid Champions League return
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/4] Soccer Football - Carabao Cup - Final - Manchester United v Newcastle United - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - February 26, 2023 Manchester United's Antony and Bruno Fernandes celebrate with the trophy after winning the Carabao Cup REUTERS/Hannah Mckay/File PhotoJune 27 (Reuters) - Manchester United (MANU.N) on Tuesday raised its forecasts for annual revenue and adjusted profit, betting on strong commercial and matchday income as the English football club returns to the UEFA Champions League. Manchester United, which is currently in talks to sell itself, said it was expecting revenue of between 630 million pounds ($801.6 million) and 640 million pounds, compared with its previous forecast of between 590 million pounds and 610 million pounds. There were no updates on the deal from Manchester United on Tuesday and its U.S.-listed shares fell 1.4% in premarket trading. Manchester United also raised its adjusted profit forecast to between 140 million pounds and 150 million pounds for the year, compared with its previous forecast of between 125 million pounds and 140 million pounds. For the third quarter ended March 31, net loss stood at 5.6 million pounds, compared with 27.7 million pounds in the same period last year.

Persons: Manchester United's Antony, Bruno Fernandes, Hannah Mckay, Glazer, Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad, Jim Ratcliffe, Thomas Zilliacus, Eva Mathews, Anil D'Silva Organizations: Soccer, Manchester United, Newcastle United, Wembley, Carabao, REUTERS, English, UEFA Champions League . Manchester United, Reuters, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, Manchester, U.S, Sheikh, Thani, Qatar, British, Qatari, Bengaluru

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