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☆ 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

☆ 'In principle, I'm done', Messi unlikely to play at 2026 World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BEIJING, June 14 (Reuters) - Argentina skipper Lionel Messi has said that "in principle" last year's World Cup would be his fifth and final appearance at global soccer's showpiece event. The 35-year-old forward led his country to a third World Cup triumph in Qatar last December, saying throughout the tournament that he would not be playing at another edition. This was my last World Cup," Messi told Titan Sports ahead of Argentina's friendly against Australia in Beijing. "I'll see how things go but in principle, I won't go to the next World Cup." I am very happy about his achievement, winning the recent UEFA Champions League," Messi told the Chinese sports paper in an interview.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Messi, Ballon, Pep Guardiola, Guardiola, Pep, Nick Mulvenney, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Titan Sports, Australia, Paris St Germain, Inter Miami, Barcelona, League, football's, Manchester City, UEFA Champions League, Socceroos, Workers, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, Argentina, Qatar, United States, Canada, Mexico, Beijing, Paris, Sydney

☆ Flush with cash, the Middle East is ramping up investment in soccer as a soft power push
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-13 | by ( Michael Considine | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Manchester City's victory in the UEFA Champions League final over Inter Milan was historic for a number of reasons. Manchester City's win, heavily backed by UAE money, comes as Saudi Arabia and Qatar look to ramp up their investment in the sport. The UAE's Sheikh Mansour purchased the club in 2008 and has since proceeded to spend more on transfers than any other club in world soccer. The scale of the investment has attracted criticism, with human rights group Amnesty International saying the UAE's spending amounts to one of soccer's "most brazen attempts to 'sportswash' a country's deeply tarnished image." "But in terms of soft power, image reputation, nation branding, I think it's significant as well."

Persons: Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Mohammed bin Zayed, Sheikh Mansour, it's, Simon Chadwick, CNBC's Organizations: Manchester, UEFA Champions League, Inter Milan, English Premier League, soccer, United Arab Emirates, Manchester City's, Manchester United, Amnesty, CNBC, Manchester City, Skema Business School Locations: Abu Dhabi, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar

☆ Man City 1-0 Inter Milan: Rodri's goal wins Champions League final as Pep Guardiola's team complete treble
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-11 | by ( Adam Bate | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Ilkay Gundogan (C) of Manchester City lifts the UEFA Champions League trophy after the team's victory in the UEFA Champions League 2022/23 final match against Inter at Ataturk Olympic Stadium. Manchester City completed the treble with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Inter Milan in the Champions League final in Istanbul. Having already overhauled Arsenal to retain the Premier League trophy and beaten Manchester United to lift the FA Cup at Wembley, this victory saw them match the achievement of their city rivals in 1999. City's task was made more difficult when Kevin De Bruyne trudged off injured in the first half, the second time in three seasons that he has departed a Champions League final with the game in the balance. The midfielder measured his finish, bending it beyond two Inter defenders and into the corner of the net to break the deadlock.

Persons: Ilkay Gundogan, Federico Dimarco, Ederson, Pep Guardiola, Kevin De Bruyne trudged, Rodri, Erling Haaland, Lukaku, Edin Dzeko, Lautaro Martinez, Manuel Akanji, Guardiola, Akanji, Bernardo Silva Organizations: Manchester City, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Champions, Inter, Ataturk, Inter Milan, Champions League, Ataturk Olympic, Arsenal, Premier League, Manchester United, Wembley, Guardiola Locations: Manchester, Istanbul, Rodri's, Romelu Lukaku, City, Europe, Turkey

“We can think about it.” His players, at that point, could “visualize” completing a domestic and European treble. Among English teams, though, only United can lay claim to the genuine article. In the first 54 years of European competition, four teams won the treble. Should City, as expected, beat Inter Milan on Saturday, it would make it six in the last 14 years. Cup carries more historical weight than other domestic cup competitions.

Persons: Pep Guardiola, ”, Guardiola, ure, twitter.com/xVn, Gil l Organizations: Manchester City, League, Premier League, Liverpool, European, Milk, UEFA, Europa League Locations: Real Madrid, Manchester

☆ Szymon Marciniak: Champions League final referee to remain in role after apologizing for appearance at event organized by hardline nationalist party leader in Poland
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-02 | by ( Sammy Mncwabe | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Referee Szymon Marciniak will officiate next weekend’s UEFA Champions League final after apologizing for his appearance at an event organized by a hardline right-wing Polish politician, the European football governing body confirmed in a statement on Friday. According to the Guardian, Marciniak was a keynote speaker at an event entitled “Everest” organized by Slawomir Mentzen, the leader of the nationalist Confederation party in Katowice, Poland on Monday. The party is known for its slogan, “We stand against Jews, gays, abortion, taxation and the European Union,” the Guardian reports. Marciniak officiated the World Cup final between Argentina and France in December, 2022. Marciniak, who refereed the World Cup final between Argentina and France in December, said he was “gravely misled and completely unaware” of the event’s affiliation.

Persons: Szymon Marciniak, Marciniak, Slawomir Mentzen, Hannah Mckay, Mentzen, “, ” Marciniak, ” Organizations: CNN, UEFA Champions League, Guardian, Confederation, European Union, UEFA, Reuters, Champions League, Manchester City, Inter Milan Locations: Polish, Katowice, Poland, Argentina, France, Istanbul, Turkey

☆ Factbox: Key moments in King Charles' coronation
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

LONDON, May 4 (Reuters) - From the religious symbolism of his anointment to the moment when the crown is placed on his head, what are the highlights to look out for during the coronation of King Charles on Saturday? It has been used at every coronation since King William IV's in 1831 and was first used by George III to travel to the State Opening of Parliament in 1762. "This is often thought to be the most sacred part of the ceremony," Charles Farris, Public Historian At Historic Royal Palaces, said. "The big moment, the big photograph moment, the big moment that everyone's going to be talking about, making memes of, making TikToks of, that's when the king is crowned, when the king has the crown put on his head". While the newly-crowned king and queen will be the centre of attention, all eyes will be on whether Charles' younger son Prince Harry appears.

CAIRO, April 21 (Reuters) - There are some aspirational prizes being doled out to winners of Ramadan tournaments in Egypt this week, with a team decked out in Liverpool's kit being awarded England's Premier League trophy for their success -- while another is set to receive UEFA Champions League silverware. The losers were presented with a replica of the African Champions League trophy for their efforts. "I bought the two cups from a friend who owns a sportswear store for two thousand Egyptian pounds ($65)," Ibrahim Abdel Salam, one of the organising committee, told Reuters. "There are two artificial turf courts, but we prefer the dirt court," Abdel Salam said. Meanwhile in El-Beheira governorate the European Champions League trophy appeared up for grabs.

☆ A corruption scandal, accusations of favoritism and Franco’s regime: Real Madrid and Barcelona in war of words over Spain’s fascist past
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-19 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

More than eight weeks after the scandal emerged, FCB President Joan Laporta went out to bat for the Catalan club on Monday. General view of Estadio Santiago Bernabeu prior to the La Liga match between Real Madrid CF and Getafe CF on April 09, 2022 in Madrid, Spain. But Laporta finished by saying that Real Madrid is “a club considered the team of the regime,” a reference to the club’s reported historic ties with Franco during his fascist dictatorship. “We are talking about a club [Real] that has historically close ties to political, financial and sporting power,” Laporta said. In total, Real won 14 league titles to Barcelona’s eight under Franco, while the Blaugrana won nine Copas del Generalísimo to Real Madrid’s six.

☆ UEFA Champions League: Erling Haaland breaks another scoring record as Manchester City humbles Bayern Munich
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-12 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

The Norwegian superstar found the target yet again on Tuesday as Manchester City beat Bayern Munich 3-0 in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinal at the Etihad Stadium. It’s yet another chapter in the 22-year-old’s astonishing debut season at City, which currently sees him top scorer in both the Premier League and Champions League. When we have the momentum, we are clinical.”Haaland scores his side's third goal during the Champions League quarterfinal first-leg. Tim Goode/APTuesday’s win was a major statement from City which looks serious about winning its first ever Champions League title this season. We need to understand and swallow this kind of defeat.”Elsewhere, Inter Milan beat Benfica 2-0 in Tuesday’s other Champions League quarterfinal first leg – Nicolo Barella and Romelu Lukaku getting the goals.

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