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☆ Karim Benzema signs for Saudi team Al-Ittihad after leaving Real Madrid
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-07 | by ( Matt Foster | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —French striker Karim Benzema has signed with Saudi Arabian team Al-Ittihad on an initial three-year deal, the club announced on Tuesday. Al-Ittihad won the Saudi Pro League (SPL) this season under the stewardship of one-time Tottenham Hotspur manager Nuno Espirito Santo and offered Benzema a deal reportedly worth more than $100 million. It now feels the time is right for a new challenge and project.”Reuniting with RonaldoBenzema also expressed joy at joining a league which already contains his former Real Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo. Karim is a global football icon, he’s box office and very much at the top of his powers.”Benzema joined Real Madrid from Lyon in 2009, aged 21. He won 25 trophies with the club, making 648 appearances and scoring 354 goals – the second most in its history.

Persons: Karim Benzema, Benzema, Nuno Espirito, ” Benzema, “, Ronaldo Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo, “ Cristiano Ronaldo, ”, Anmar Bin Abdullah Alhailael, Ballon, Karim Organizations: CNN, Saudi Arabian, Real Madrid, Sunday, Ittihad, Saudi Pro League, Tottenham Hotspur, Nuno Espirito Santo, ”, SPL, Saudi, Ittihad Club Locations: Ittihad, Al, Asia, Spain, Europe, Saudi Arabia, Real, Lyon

☆ Juventus deny withdrawal from Super League project
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MADRID, June 6 (Reuters) - Juventus have not withdrawn from the European Super League (ESL) project, the Italian club said on Tuesday following a media report that they had sent Real Madrid and Barcelona a letter informing them of their departure. But Juve added that they will discuss with Real and Barca, the other clubs remaining in the project, a potential exit. "Juventus will proceed with any communications due under the law following the outcome of the discussions and evaluations (regarding a potential exit)," the club said. A spokesperson for the Super League was not immediately able to comment. The breakaway Super League was formed in April 2021, when 12 of Europe's top football clubs launched a bid to wrestle control of the game and its lucrative revenue away from European soccer governing body UEFA.

Persons: Barca, David Latona, Elvira Pollina, Joan Faus, Emma Pinedo, Janina Nuno Rios, Inti Landauro, Ken Ferris Organizations: Juventus, European Super League, Real Madrid, Juve, Real, Barca, UEFA, Super League, League, Manchester United, Manchester, Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal, AC Milan, Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid, Thomson Locations: MADRID, Barcelona, Manchester City, Liverpool

☆ José Mourinho: What next for Portuguese manager after Roma's Europa League final loss to Sevilla?
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-01 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

And Wednesday’s Europa League final in Budapest was a great example of just that. Mourinho leaves the pitch at the end of the Europa League final. The lads gave absolutely everything this season.”Mourinho (middle) embraces Roma defender Roger Ibañez (right) at the end of the Europa League final. Montiel scores the decisive penalty in the Europa League final against Roma. He has helped guide the team away from relegation and now secured its seventh Europa League title, cementing its title as the ‘King’ of the competition.

Persons: José Mourinho, “, ” Mourinho, Mourinho, Odd Andersen, Germain, Roma’s, “ We’re, Roger Ibañez, tiredness, Mourinho didn’t, it’s, –, Gonzalo Montiel, Montiel, Rui Patrício, José Luis Mendilibar, Marvin Ibo, GES Sportfoto, Yassine Bounou, Bounou, Sevilla, ’, Mendilibar, ”, “ It’s Organizations: CNN, Europa League, Sevilla, Roma, Spanish, Sky Sports Italia, Reuters, Portuguese national, Champions League, Europa League –, UEFA, Getty, Real Madrid, Paris Saint, Tottenham, Premier League, Europa Conference League –, Rome, Mourinho, France, Mendilibar Locations: Budapest, Paris, Madrid, Argentina, Argentine

☆ Europa League final: Jose Mourinho goes in search of sixth European trophy 20 years after his first triumph
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-31 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Sevilla hasn’t earned its ‘King of the Europa League’ moniker for nothing, with those tournament record six triumphs coming from six finals, including a run of four wins in just six years. Jose Mourinho gives instructions to his Porto players ahead of extra time in 2003 UEFA Cup final. Jose Mourinho celebrates after Inter Milan reaches the 2010 Champions League final. “I don’t think of Porto [in] 2003, I don’t think about Roma last season. Should he lead Roma to victory on Wednesday, he will become the first manager to win the Europa League with three different teams.

Persons: Jose Mourinho, Mourinho, Sevilla hasn’t, Ivan Rakitić, José Castro, Jose Manuel Ribeiro, ‘, ’, Pep Guardiola’s, Ben Radford, “, ” Mourinho, I’m, “ I’ve, ”, Roma, Riccardo De Luca, Roma’s, eason Organizations: CNN, AS Roma, Europa League, Sevilla, UEFA, Porto, Manchester United, Reuters, Real, Real Madrid, ‘ Sevilla, Tottenham, Inter Milan, Guardiola’s, Camp, Champions League, Bayer Leverkusen, Roma, Serie, League, Europa Conference League, Anadolu Agency, Conference League, Wednesday, oma Locations: Budapest, Hungary, Rome, Barcelona, Portuguese, Porto, England, Eternal

☆ Mauricio Pochettino named as next Chelsea head coach
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-29 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Former Tottenham Hotspur and Paris Saint-Germain boss Mauricio Pochettino is set to join Chelsea ahead of next season, the club announced on Monday. Pochettino, who left PSG last year, has signed an initial two-year contract at Chelsea and begins the new role on July 1. Pochettino gives instructions to PSG forward Kylian Mbappé during last season's Champions League game against Real Madrid. David Ramos/Getty ImagesThe Argentine joins a Chelsea team short on form but with plenty of star power in its ranks after the club spent liberally on signings over the past year. “We are delighted that Mauricio will be joining Chelsea.

☆ Racist abuse of players is getting worse, says Stephens
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-29 | by ( Karolos Grohmann | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

PARIS, May 29 (Reuters) - Racist behaviour directed at athletes is getting worse and even software designed to protect them from it has little impact, world number 30 Sloane Stephens said on Monday. The American, speaking after her straight-sets victory over Karolina Pliskova in the French Open first round, said she had had to endure it her whole tennis career. "Yes, it's obviously been a problem my entire career," said Stephens, who is Black. Tennis players, including greats Serena and Venus Williams, have been the targets of such abuse as have professional athletes in all sports, with Real Madrid soccer player Vinicius Jr. the most notable recent case. Tottenham Hotspur were working this month with the Metropolitan Police to investigate an allegation of racial abuse towards South Korean striker Son Heung-min.

☆ Everton survive as Leicester and Leeds are relegated on dramatic final day
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-28 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

The Merseyside club's 69-year stay in the top flight was in peril at halftime as they were drawing 0-0 and 2016 champions Leicester were ahead against West Ham United. That combination of results meant Everton were in the relegation zone but Abdoulaye Doucoure's stunning 57th minute right-foot strike from outside the area earned Everton the victory they required. The final whistle prompted a pitch invasion with smoke from blue flares drifting across the old stadium that will host top-flight football again after another Everton escape. Everton ended in 17th place on 36 points after 38 games, with Leicester in 18th on 34 and Leeds on 31. EVERTON RELIEFThe celebrations at Everton were more of relief than pride as the famous old club once again found itself battling not for silverware but to avoid relegation.

☆ City's Haaland named Premier League Player of the Season
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

May 27 (Reuters) - Erling Haaland was named the Premier League's Player of the Season on Saturday, after a record-breaking debut campaign in which he has delivered goals by the sackful as Manchester City claimed their third straight league title. The 22-year-old was also voted the league's best young player, becoming the first person to win both awards in the same season. The Norwegian was voted Player of the Season by the public, the captains of the 20 Premier League clubs and a panel of soccer experts. "I am honoured to have become the first player to win both awards in the same season," Haaland said. Haaland will have the chance to add to his Premier League tally on Sunday when City visit Brentford for their final game of the season.

☆ Leicester City: From Premier League champion to Championship? 2016 title winner is on the brink of relegation
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-27 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Leicester City’s Premier League triumph in 2015/16 remains one of the greatest achievements in the history of sport. With just one game left of the season, Leicester is in 18th place – the third and final relegation spot – on 31 points, two points adrift of Everton in 17th and safety. Former manager Brendan Rogers, who had been at the club since 2019, was sacked in April as Leicester made a last-ditch attempt to salvage its Premier League status by hiring Dean Smith. Of the teams facing relegation, Leicester certainly looks best placed to make an immediate return to the Premier League with some talented players and a potentially massive transfer budget from the sale of its stars. While Allardyce is known for his expertise in saving teams from relegation, his style of football could not be more different to Bielsa’s.

☆ Bowen inspires West Ham to victory over struggling Leeds
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] Soccer Football - Premier League - West Ham United v Leeds United - London Stadium, London, Britain - May 21, 2023 West Ham United's Jarrod Bowen celebrates scoring their second goal Action Images... Read moreLONDON, May 21 (Reuters) - West Ham United forward Jarrod Bowen set up one goal and scored another to inspire his side to a 3-1 Premier League victory at the London Stadium on Sunday and deepen the relegation crisis at Leeds United. Leeds remain in the relegation zone with 31 points from 37 games, two points behind 17th-placed Everton with the home visit of Tottenham Hotspur on the final day of the season next Sunday. Leeds took the lead in the 17th minute when Weston McKennie’s long throw was volleyed into the net from 12-yards by Rodrigo, a sublime finish against a static West Ham defence. The home side responded when Declan Rice, in what could be his final home game for West Ham before a summer move, produced a neat finish at the back post from Bowen’s cross. The points were sealed for West Ham during injury-time when some brilliant footwork from Lucas Paqueta on the right wing saw him beat several defenders before laying on a tap-in for substitute Manuel Lanzini.

☆ Arsenal pushed us but we capitalised on their 'hiccups', says Man City's Walker
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"Arsenal pushed us right to the limit, they've been fantastic, so all credit to them. We just went on an incredible run, they had a few hiccups, we capitalised on it and we've managed to end up where we have," Walker told City's website. We're a bunch of lads who have achieved so much over the last number of years and we understand the standards we've set. "We wanted to prove anyone doubting us wrong - it wasn't good enough," Walker added. Certainly that's how it's been for the six years I've been here, so fair play to everyone involved."

☆ Liverpool top-four hopes hit despite late equaliser, Everton grab vital point
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-20 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Liverpool had won seven games in succession to make a late run for Champions League qualification but defeat by Villa would have guaranteed that Newcastle United and Manchester United finish in the top four. Liverpool's top-four hopes looked over with Manchester United winning at Bournemouth, but Brazilian Firmino, making his Anfield farewell after eight glorious seasons, struck an equaliser in the 89th minute after coming off the bench. Even the point leaves their chances wafer thin, though, as fourth-placed Manchester United and third-placed Newcastle United have 69 points with two games left while Liverpool have 66 with only one game remaining. Casemiro's superb acrobatic volley was enough for Manchester United to win 1-0 on the south coast and one more point from their last two games will guarantee them Champions League football. Newcastle can seal their return to Europe's elite competition after a two-decade absence if they take a point against relegation-threatened Leicester on Monday.

☆ Manchester City win Premier League title as Arsenal lose
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-20 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

LONDON, May 20 (Reuters) - Manchester City were confirmed as Premier League champions for the fifth time in six seasons on Saturday without even having to kick a ball after second-placed Arsenal's challenge ended in defeat away at Nottingham Forest. City have now joined an elite group of clubs to win three successive English top-flight titles, with Huddersfield Town, Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United the only others. "The Premier League is without doubt the most demanding and competitive league in the world so that tells you everything about what an achievement this is," he said. That quality and consistency helps sum up what Manchester City stand for and ensures the club will continue to strive for success going forward." Defeat at Forest means Arsenal have won only two of their last eight matches in the league.

☆ Firmino scores late goal to keep Liverpool's slim Champions League hopes alive
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-20 | by ( Lori Ewing | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Juergen Klopp's side are fifth with 66 points with one game remaining, but three points adrift of fourth-place Manchester United who have a game in hand. The home side dominated a frenzied final few minutes as chants of "Si Senor" rang out in the stadium. Liverpool's hopes of qualifying for next season's Champions League appear all but over. Liverpool were missing Darwin Nunez due to a toe injury, while Aston Villa were without injured Philippe Coutinho. Gakpo pulled up his shirt to show the referee the mark, but after a VAR review, Mings was shown a yellow card.

☆ Liverpool manager Klopp suspended and fined for media comments
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

May 18 (Reuters) - Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp has been suspended from the touchline for two matches and fined 75,000 pounds ($95,000)following his comments to the media after the match against Tottenham Hotspur on April 30, the Football Association said on Thursday. After Liverpool's 4-3 home win, Klopp accused referee Paul Tierney of having something "against" Liverpool. The referee's body reviewed the audio of Tierney's exchange with the Liverpool manager and said he acted in a professional manner throughout. Liverpool are fifth in the league standings with 65 points, seven points ahead of sixth-placed Brighton and Hove Albion but having played two matches more. ($1 = 0.7923 pounds)Reporting by Tommy Lund in Gdansk; Editing by Alex RichardsonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Ivan Toney: Brentford and England striker banned for eight months and fined for breaching betting rules
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( David Close | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Ivan Toney, the star striker for English Premier League club Brentford, has been suspended from soccer and fined £50,000 ($62,407) due to “breaches of The FA’s Betting Rules,” England’s Football Association announced on Wednesday. According to the FA, Toney “was charged with 262 breaches of FA Rule E8 in total between 25 February 2017 and 23 January 2021. The FA subsequently withdrew 30 of these breaches and he admitted to the remaining 232.”Rule E8 in the FA’s handbook highlights the rules around betting. Brentford said the club was aware of the eight-month ban decision and is awaiting the written report from the independent Regulatory Commission who ruled on the case. According to the FA, Toney can return to training only with the Bees for the final four months of his suspension starting September 17.

☆ Frankfurt Stadium to host Kansas City Chiefs in maiden NFL game
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Five international fixtures will take place over October and November with three in London. Only one regular-season NFL game has ever been staged in Germany, last season's clash between Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Seattle Seahawks in Munich's Allianz Arena. The Frankfurt Stadium will host reigning Super Bowl champions Kansas City Chiefs on Nov. 5 for their game against Miami Dolphins and a week later will welcome Indianapolis Colts and the New England Patriots. "We are... pleased to confirm that the two games in Germany will be played in Frankfurt, a city steeped in NFL heritage. The Jaguars will kick off the international fixtures against Atlanta Falcons on Oct. 1 at Wembley Stadium.

☆ Son Heung-min: Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace condemn alleged racial abuse during Premier League game
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-07 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace have both condemned alleged racial abuse towards South Korean forward Son Heung-min after the teams faced each other on Saturday. We will not tolerate such behaviour in our club.”In response to an inquiry about Saturday’s game, a spokesperson for London’s Metropolitan Police told CNN that it is investigating allegations of racial abuse. Last August, Chelsea said the club had identified and banned a season ticket holder “indefinitely” after reports emerged that Son was racially abused during a Premier League game at Stamford Bridge. On Sunday, the Premier League said in a tweet that it “condemns all forms of discrimination” and that “no one should have to suffer abuse of the kind received by Heung-Min Son.”Tottenham defeated Crystal Palace 1-0 to move up to sixth in the Premier League table thanks to Harry Kane’s header at the end of the first half. That took Kane to 209 Premier League goals as he moved to second in the league’s all-time scoring list ahead of Wayne Rooney.

☆ Arteta's video nasty helped fire Arsenal to win at Newcastle
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

NEWCASTLE, England, May 7 (Reuters) - Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said he played a video of his side's bitter defeat at Newcastle United a year ago before their vital 2-0 Premier League win at St James's Park on Sunday. He said the collective memory of what happened at Newcastle last year had been a massive motivation. The manager showed us the video of the documentary and we had a burning desire that it wouldn't be the same today." With City winning for the 10th league game in a row on Saturday to open a four-point lead, the pressure was piled on Arsenal ahead of the clash at Newcastle. "After dropping points against Man City, to win against Chelsea and then come here and win shows the mentality.

☆ Kane an inspiration for Spurs' squad, says Mason
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Kane headed home in first-half injury time to score his 209th Premier League goal, one more than Wayne Rooney but still some way behind record-holder Alan Shearer's tally of 260. "Naturally we'll all talk about Harry's goals and Harry when he plays games of football he will continue to score goals. We know that," Mason told reporters after Spurs' victory snapped a four-game winless run on Saturday. "But also that elite mindset, that example that he sets every day in and around the place, it's great to be around. When you've got your captain, your leader, your goalscorer, probably one of our best players setting that example, that's what I want."

☆ Man City climb four points clear of Arsenal in title race
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-06 | by ( Lori Ewing | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

City's victory, coupled with an Arsenal loss on Sunday to Newcastle United, would all but clinch the Premier League title for the treble-chasers who stretched their winning league run to 10 games. Liverpool notched up a sixth straight Premier League win to maintain their pursuit of a top-four spot. KANE HEADERKane headed Tottenham in front in first-half injury time to move up to second place in the all-time Premier League goalscorers list. The win vaulted Spurs to sixth in the table with 57 points from 35 games, six points behind fourth-placed United, who have played two games fewer. Wolves climbed 10 points clear of the relegation zone with 40 points, while Villa remained in eighth after their second consecutive loss.

☆ Spurs captain Lloris ruled out for the season, says Mason
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, May 5 (Reuters) - Tottenham Hotspur captain Hugo Lloris will miss the rest of the season due to a hip injury, interim boss Ryan Mason said on Friday as the club try to keep alive their hopes of playing in Europe next season. Obviously disappointing but we feared that initially, so he won't play again for us this season," Mason told reporters ahead of Saturday's clash against Crystal Palace. "I can't speak about next season but what I can say is he's got a very important role for us until the end of the season. Spurs are in seventh spot, nine points behind fourth-placed Manchester United after picking up one point in their last four matches. "I will always have a soft spot for Roy because he gave me my England debut," Mason said.

☆ Top-four finish not in Liverpool's hands, says Klopp
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"Other teams are in much better positions, as long as they win games we have no chance," Klopp told reporters ahead of Saturday's clash against ninth-placed Brentford. We have 59 points and United has 63, so we can get 71 maximum (at the end of the season). The way they played over this season, the top four teams, no one looks like losing more games than they win, Klopp said. James Milner is expected to leave Liverpool after eight years at the end of the season and Klopp described how highly he valued the 37-year-old midfielder. Klopp said Diogo Jota and captain Jordan Henderson will be assessed ahead of the match while Roberto Firmino remains sidelined.

☆ Opinion | My Mother Knew How to Celebrate a Royal Event
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( David Lammy | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

When that happens, I know I’m going to miss my mother. I know my mother would have looked for it. My mother felt the monarchy folded her and other immigrants into Britishness. She loved the pomp and ceremony of royal events, and her shelves were filled with cheerful memorabilia from the weddings and jubilees. We’d crowd around the television to watch the latest event and she’d serve her divine Caribbean cooking on royal cake trays.

☆ Klopp expects punishment after Spurs celebration, comments on referee
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Klopp was handed a yellow card for celebrating Diogo Jota's 94th-minute winner by running towards the fourth official John Brooks at Anfield, where the German also injured himself in the process. After the game, Klopp accused referee Paul Tierney of having something "against" Liverpool but the referee's body PGMOL reviewed the audio of Tierney and said he acted in a professional manner throughout. But in the moment, I just described my feelings," Klopp told reporters on Tuesday ahead of Wednesday's game against Fulham. "I couldn't get close to the fourth official and I didn't want to get close to the fourth official, and then I pulled my muscle. Klopp, who could face a ban, has been punished for comments about referees in the past.

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