DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Messi back in training with PSG
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

May 8 (Reuters) - Lionel Messi is training with Paris St Germain again, the Ligue 1 team said on Monday, after the forward was suspended for making a trip to Saudi Arabia and missing a training session as a result. Messi, who apologised to PSG and his team mates on Friday, was left out of the squad for their 3-1 win at second-bottom Troyes on Sunday. PSG posted a picture of Messi training on social media, along with the caption: "The Argentinian striker from Paris Saint-Germain was back in training on Monday 8 May." The oil-rich nation appointed Messi its tourism ambassador last year and he visited Jeddah in May 2022. He returned in January to play a friendly match with PSG against a team of Saudi League stars, when he faced great rival Cristiano Ronaldo.

☆ PSG boss Galtier says not his decision to suspend Messi, condemns fan protests
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

PARIS, May 5 (Reuters) - Paris St Germain manager Christophe Galtier said he had nothing to do with the club's decision to suspend Lionel Messi while he also condemned the Ligue 1 side's fans for staging protests outside Neymar's house. "I was informed by the board at the start of the week of the decision to suspend Messi. When I was informed, I had the responsibility of not commenting on it," Galtier told a press conference ahead of Sunday's game at Troyes. PSG condemned the fans' actions while Galtier said it was unacceptable for supporters to protest outside a player's house. You may protest at the training ground or at the PSG office or after a match at the Parc des Princes.

☆ Messi apologises to PSG for Saudi trip
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

May 5 (Reuters) - Lionel Messi apologised to Paris St Germain and his team mates on Friday after being suspended for making a trip to Saudi Arabia earlier this week and missing a training session as a result. French media reported that Messi was suspended for two weeks after an unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia when he was supposed to train with the squad the day after the Ligue 1 leaders' 3-1 defeat at home to Lorient on Sunday. I had this trip organised and I couldn't cancel it, I had already cancelled it before," Messi said in a video on Instagram. "I apologise to my team mates and I'm waiting for what the club wants to do with me," added the Argentina forward. He returned in January to play a friendly match with PSG against a team of Saudi League stars, when he faced great rival Cristiano Ronaldo.

☆ Paris Saint-Germain strongly condemns 'intolerable and insulting' chants from fans outside Neymar Jr.'s house calling for Brazilian to leave club
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Paris Saint-Germain has built a squad of star-studded players – notably Lionel Messi, Neymar Jr. and Kylian Mbappé – but amid recent discord at the Parisian club, two of that attacking triumvirate have found themselves being targeted by a section of fans. “Paris Saint-Germain most strongly condemns the intolerable and insulting actions of a small group of individuals that took place on Wednesday,” the Parisian club said in a statement after videos emerged on social media showing a group of fans gathered outside the Brazilian international’s house chanting: “Neymar, get out! Neymar, get out!”Videos on social media also showed fans gathered outside the PSG headquarters directing less than flattering chants towards World Cup winner Messi. On Wednesday, PSG suspended Messi for two weeks after the Argentinian’s unauthorized trip away from the team to conduct personal business, according to a club source. Meanwhile Messi, would go on and beat his other teammate, Mbappé, in the final as Argentina overcame France.

CNN —Paris Saint-Germain has suspended Lionel Messi for two weeks after the Argentinian’s unauthorized trip away from the team to conduct personal business, according to a club source. Messi is in Saudi Arabia, according to multiple reports. Along with undated pictures of Messi relaxing with his family, Ahmed Al Khateeb, the Minister of Tourism for Saudi Arabia, tweeted Monday: “I am happy to welcome #Messi and his family to Saudi to enjoy the magical tourist destinations and authentic experiences. “We welcome visitors from all around the world to experience a unique trip to Saudi Arabia and its hospitality.”Messi himself posted to Instagram four days ago a promotion for Saudi tourism: “Who thought Saudi has so much green? Messi’s contract with PSG expires on June 30, 2023, and his reported trip to Saudi Arabia comes amid multiple reports that the 35-year-old won’t stay at the Parisian club.

☆ Messi suspended for two weeks after trip to Saudi Arabia - L'Equipe
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

May 2 (Reuters) - Paris St Germain forward Lionel Messi has been suspended for two weeks after an unauthorised trip for two days to Saudi Arabia, French sports daily L'Equipe reported on Tuesday. The Argentina World Cup winner is banned from playing or training with the team, and his pay will be docked during his suspension, the report added. Messi will miss the upcoming Ligue 1 matches against Troyes and Ajaccio but might return for the match against Auxerre on May 21. PSG are top of the standings with 75 points from 33 matches. Reporting by Tommy Lund in Gdansk Editing by Christian RadnedgeOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Marseille go second as Gusto own goal deals bitter blow to Lyon
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

PARIS, April 23 (Reuters) - A last-gasp own goal by Malo Gusto earned Olympique de Marseille a 2-1 win at Olympique Lyonnais and lifted them back up to second in Ligue 1 with six games left on Sunday. Alexandre Lacazette netted after the break to cancel out Cengiz Under's first-half opener for Marseille, only for Gusto to deflect a poor clearance into his own net two minutes into stoppage time. After a series of half chances for both sides in a lively start, Marseille went ahead one minute before the interval when Under slotted the ball home after Alexis Sanchez's attempt was parried into his path by Anthony Lopes. Lyon, however, hit back in the 68th minute with Lacazette latching onto a cross from Corentin Tolisso to score his 20th league goal of the season to delight the Groupama Stadium crowd. They were eventually rewarded when Gusto got in the way of Johann Lepenant's attempt to clear Issa Kabore's cross, as Marseille claimed their first away win against Lyon in all competitions since 2007.

☆ PSG close in on title as Mbappe double sinks Angers
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

PARIS, April 21 (Reuters) - Paris St Germain moved a step closer to a record 11th Ligue 1 title when Kylian Mbappe's double earned them a 2-1 victory at bottom side Angers on Friday. Angers, on 14 points, will be relegated to Ligue 2 if Nantes and Stade Brestois win their games on Sunday and AJ Auxerre avoid defeat on Saturday. After fluffing a volley, he regained control of the ball before slotting it past Paul Bernardoni in the ninth minute. Mbappe then collected a through ball from Lionel Messi and doubled the advantage with a clinical finish on 26 minutes. Messi went close to adding another seven minutes from the interval, but Bernardoni parried the Argentine's attempt from just outside the box.

☆ Lens beat Strasbourg to cut PSG lead to three points
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

LENS, France, April 7 (Reuters) - Clinical RC Lens beat Strasbourg 2-1 to provisionally cut Paris St Germain's once double-digit lead at the top of the Ligue 1 table to three points on Friday and open up the title race. Lens are second on 63 points, three ahead of third-placed Olympique Marseille, who travel to Lorient on Sunday. Strasbourg remain in 16th on 26 points. Strasbourg's Kevin Gameiro pulled one back with a glorious curler in the 84th minute, but Lens held on for victory. Lens can further improve their prospects of winning a second French top-flight title when they face leaders PSG next week, after the defending champions' trip to Nice on Saturday.

☆ Palace sack manager Vieira after winless run
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

March 17 (Reuters) - Crystal Palace sacked manager Patrick Vieira after 20 months in charge on Friday after their 1-0 defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion left them three points above the Premier League relegation zone. Palace are the only side in the league without a win in 2023, having drawn five and lost six of their games. Their last league win came on Dec. 31, 2-0 at Bournemouth, and they are 12th on 27 points with 11 games to play. Vieira, 46, guided Palace to a 12th-placed finish and an FA Cup semi-final run in his first season in charge, earning praise for an attacking style of play. The club did not confirm who would replace Vieira or take charge of Sunday's Premier League trip to leaders Arsenal.

☆ Napoli striker Osimhen ready to become 'an icon' with title win
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-06 | by ( Alvise Armellini | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

ROME, March 6 (Reuters) - If striker Victor Osimhen manages to lead Napoli to their first Italian Serie A title in more than 30 years, he believes he will become a club "icon". However, if Napoli win the scudetto, he said: "I think (I) have a very big chance of being named an icon." With 13 games to go, Napoli are odds-on for Serie A glory, having a huge, 15-point advantage over second-placed Inter Milan. Some street hawkers are already selling mementoes in Napoli colours and with a "three" on them in anticipation of a third title. "It's been 33 years since the last scudetto," Napoli Chairman Aurelio De Laurentiis said.

☆ Mbappe beats PSG all-time scoring record as French champions extend lead
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-04 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The 24-year-old Mbappe found the back of the net two minutes into stoppage time for his 201st goal in all competitions with PSG, improving the mark he shared with Edinson Cavani. The club organised a short ceremony after the final whistle, with a big portrait of Mbappe displayed at the Parc des Princes. "It's a privilege to be a PSG player, to play in this historic shirt, for the biggest club in France." PSG got off to a dream start as Messi opened the scoring in the 12th minute with a left-footed volley form Fabian Ruiz's cross. Earlier, RC Lens's Champions League hopes suffered another knock when they were held to a 1-1 home draw in the northern derby.

☆ Neymar ruled out of Champions League clash with Bayern due to injury
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

March 3 (Reuters) - Paris St Germain forward Neymar will miss the next two games due to an ankle injury, coach Christophe Galtier said on Friday, ruling him out of their Ligue 1 clash with Nantes and the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie against Bayern Munich. The reigning Ligue 1 champions, who will also be without defender Achraf Hakimi, look to overturn a 1-0 deficit in the Champions League away at Bayern Munich on Wednesday, but Galtier's priority is Saturday's fixture against Nantes. "Our squad is weakened by suspensions and injuries, we have to work our way through the league," the French manager said. "I hope the players don't have the game against Bayern on Wednesday in the back of their minds. It's important to get the third league win in a row."

Although Polish teams have struggled to make a mark in European competitions and the country's coefficient places them 27th in the UEFA standings, there has been steady improvement in the last five seasons. In terms of value, we have a competitive structure similar to the Premier League, even though we have no government sponsorship or oligarch investment," Mioduski said. "So now we are at a point where our clubs are well-managed and run with a talent pool where private investment, like private equity, can take the clubs and the league to the next level." Mioduski said they have reached a point where they would welcome external investment both in the league and its clubs. "The Polish league as a whole has been developing more slowly but in a much more competitive fashion, with teams... maximising their limited resources," he added.

☆ PSG romp to 3-0 win over Marseille thanks to Mbappe-Messi double act
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

PARIS, Feb 26 (Reuters) - World Cup foes Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe inspired Paris St Germain to a 3-0 win at bitter rivals Olympique de Marseille on Sunday to extend their Ligue 1 lead to eight points. Third-placed Monaco slumped to a 3-0 home defeat against Nice, who prevailed thanks to a Terem Moffi double and a superb half-volley by Khephren Thuram. The result left Monaco on 50 points, ahead of fourth-placed RC Lens on goals scored after the northerners drew 1-1 at Montpellier on Saturday. Messi beautifully lifted the ball into the path of Mbappe, who volleyed home with his left foot for his 16th goal of the season in Ligue 1. PSG next face Nantes at home before travelling to Bayern Munich for their Champions League last-16 return leg after losing the first encounter 1-0 at the Parc des Princes.

☆ Ratcliffe's INEOS confirm bid for Manchester United
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Feb 18 (Reuters) - Manchester United have received a bid from Jim Ratcliffe's company INEOS for "majority ownership" of the Premier League club, the chemical firm confirmed on Saturday, adding that it would look implement a fan-centred approach. British billionaire Ratcliffe, a life-long United fan and founder of INEOS, has previously openly expressed his interest in buying the Old Trafford club. "We would see our role as the long-term custodians of Manchester United on behalf of the fans and the wider community," INEOS said in a statement. "We are ambitious and highly competitive and would want to invest in Manchester United to make them the number one club in the world once again." "We want a Manchester United anchored in its proud history and roots in the North-West of England, putting the Manchester back into Manchester United and clearly focusing on winning the Champions League," the statement said.

Manchester United, INEOS, Tesla and Musk did not reply to requests for comment. "For potential buyers, football clubs like Manchester United are considered trophy assets driven by the perception of exclusivity. The size of that bid has fuelled speculation Manchester United will attract significantly more. Manchester United is the fourth richest soccer club in the world, according to analysis by Deloitte. A small portion of Manchester United shares is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

☆ Ben Yedder leads Monaco to 3-1 win over injury-hit PSG
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The result moved Monaco up to second place with 47 points, a point above Olympique de Marseille who visit mid-table Clermont later on Saturday. PSG suffered their third league defeat this season but remain top with 54 points from 23 games. Aleksandr Golovin opened the scoring in the fourth minute when PSG failed to clear, with the midfielder side-footing home after Ben Yedder got past three defenders to set up the shot. Monaco doubled the lead 14 minutes later after fine work by Krepin Diatta, who pressed inexperienced 17-year-old defender El El Chadaille Bitshiabu into an error that allowed Ben Yedder to fire the ball past goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. But Ben Yedder restored Monaco's two-goal advantage going into the break when he was released through the centre by Eliesse Ben Seghir, scoring his 14th Ligue 1 goal to move level with Reims' Folarin Balogun at the top of the scoring charts.

☆ PSG's Messi doubtful for Champions League clash with Bayern - L'Equipe
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Feb 10 (Reuters) - Paris St Germain forward Lionel Messi is a doubt for the first leg of their round of 16 Champions League game against Bayern Munich due to a hamstring problem, French sports daily L'Equipe reported on Friday. Messi played the full 90 minutes of PSG's 2-1 defeat to Olympique Marseille in the French Cup on Wednesday but later felt pain in his hamstring, the report said. It added that the 35-year-old would miss PSG's Ligue 1 trip to AS Monaco on Saturday, three days before they host Bayern. Messi, who helped Argentina win the World Cup in December, has scored 15 goals in 25 games in all competitions for PSG this season. The Parisian club are already without forward Kylian Mbappe for the game against the German champions after he picked up a thigh injury last week.

☆ Messi to the rescue as PSG extend Ligue 1 lead
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

PARIS, Feb 4 (Reuters) - Lionel Messi scored in the second half to help Paris St Germain recover from a woeful start and extend their Ligue 1 lead to a provisional eight points with a 2-1 home victory on Saturday. Messi struck the winner after the break with his third goal in his last five league games to put PSG on 54 points from 22 games. Olympique de Marseille are second on 46 points before hosting Nice on Sunday with third-placed RC Lens travelling to Stade Brestois. Without Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, both injured, Messi was flanked by Hugo Ekitike in attack with Vitinha just behind. Rennes are left in fifth place on 40 points, with Lille in sixth, two points behind them.

☆ Chelsea smash British transfer record to sign Benfica's Fernandez
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-01 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

LONDON, Feb 1 (Reuters) - Chelsea announced the signing of Enzo Fernandez from Benfica on Wednesday after days of complex negotiations between the clubs to secure the Argentina midfielder for a British transfer record 106.8 million pounds ($131.46 million). Premier League club Chelsea announced the signing on Wednesday 1000 GMT via a video on Twitter, which showed a clip of a clock ticking down, making a reference to race against time to sign the World Cup winner. It takes Chelsea's transfer spending in January alone to close to 300 million pounds and to more than 500 million pounds since last May's takeover by an investment group led by American Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital. His fee eclipses the 100 million pounds Manchester City paid Aston Villa for England midfielder Jack Grealish in 2021. On Tuesday, Chelsea sold experienced midfielder Jorginho to Premier League leaders Arsenal for 12 million pounds.

☆ Premier League clubs spend $1 bln for first time in January transfer window
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Feb 1 (Reuters) - Premier League soccer clubs spent a record 815 million pounds ($1.00 billion) in the January transfer window, an analysis from Deloitte's Sports Business Group said on Wednesday. The London club, lying 10th in the league, paid a British record 106.8 million pounds for Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez from Benfica on Tuesday's transfer deadline day. Over the whole of the 2022-23 season they have spent 2.8 billion pounds on player transfers, beating the previous record of 1.9 billion pounds set in 2017-18. Relegation-threatened Bournemouth were the second largest spenders within the Premier League. "Premier League clubs have outspent those within the rest of Europe's 'big five' leagues by almost four to one in this transfer window...," said Tim Bridge, lead partner in Deloitte's Sports Business Group.

☆ PSG extend Ligue 1 lead with Montpellier win as Mbappe limps off
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

PARIS, Feb 1 (Reuters) - Lionel Messi scored as Paris St Germain stretched their Ligue 1 lead to five points with a 3-1 win at Montpellier after Kylian Mbappe limped off the pitch on Wednesday. Following a lacklustre first half PSG burst into life after the break with Fabian Ruiz, Messi and Warren Zaire-Emery finding the net to put them on 51 points from 21 games. Mbappe had a night to forget at La Mosson, having had his spot-kick parried away by Benjamin Lecomte in the eighth minute. He had to take it again, only for the Montpellier keeper to deny him again. England Under-21 striker Folarin Balogun bagged a hat-trick to help Stade de Reims beat Lorient 4-2 and move top of the scorers' charts.

☆ Neymar to miss struggling PSG's trip to Montpellier
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-31 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

PARIS, Jan 31 (Reuters) - Leaders Paris St Germain will be without Neymar at Montpellier in Ligue 1 on Wednesday with the Brazil forward suffering from "muscle fatigue" as the capital side struggle for form. PSG have 48 points from 20 games and have seen their advantage dwindle to three points over second-placed RC Lens. Against Reims, Kylian Mbappe, Neymar and Lionel Messi started together for the first time this year but barely defended, leaving the team split in two and vulnerable at the back. "We have three incredibly talented offensive players and playing without one of them to be more balanced would be a mistake," said Galtier. Reporting by Julien Pretot; Editing by Christian Radnedge and Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ PSG's poor run continues with Reims draw
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The capital side, who had lost two of their three previous games, have 48 points from 20 games with Lens on 45 and Marseille on 43 in an open title race. Reims are 11th on 26 points after stretching their Ligue 1 unbeaten run to 12 games. In the 51st minute, Messi's shot was deflected into the path of Neymar, who dribbled past Yehvann Diouf before poking the ball home. But PSG continued to dominate with Sergio Ramos coming close with a double header and Achraf Hakimi having a goal disallowed for offside. Reporting by Julien Pretot; Editing by Christian RadnedgeOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Search resuls for: "Ligue 1"

25 mentions found