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☆ Tottenham end unhappy relationship with Conte
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-26 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

LONDON, March 26 (Reuters) - Antonio Conte's increasingly fractious relationship with Tottenham Hotspur came to an end with the Premier League club announcing they had parted ways with the Italian on Sunday. "We can announce that head coach Antonio Conte has left the club by mutual agreement," Tottenham said in a statement. "We achieved Champions League qualification in Antonio's first season at the club. "We have 10 Premier League games remaining and we have a fight on our hands for a Champions League place," chairman Daniel Levy said in the statement. Conte leaves with Tottenham in fourth place in the Premier League and still well-placed to challenge for a top-four finish and qualify for the Champions League.

☆ ‍Soccer-Qatar's Al Thani submits new $6 bln bid for Manchester United - Sky News
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

March 25 (Reuters) - Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani has submitted a new bid to buy Manchester United which is believed to be worth around 5 billion pounds ($6.12 billion), Sky News reported on Saturday. Sheikh Jassim, a son of Qatar’s former prime minister, launched the bid in February. A spokesperson representing Sheikh Jassim said at the time that the bid was completely debt free, via Sheikh Jassim's Nine Two Foundation. Finnish entrepreneur Thomas Zilliacus also placed a bid on Thursday and told Reuters that he was willing to pay a premium for the English soccer club. United are the fourth richest soccer club in the world, according to analysis by Deloitte .

☆ Soccer-Qatar's Al Thani submits new $6 billion bid for Manchester United, Sky Sports News reports
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

March 25 (Reuters) - Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani has submitted a new bid to buy Manchester United which is believed to be worth around 5 billion pounds ($6.12 billion), Sky Sports News reported on Saturday. Sheikh Jassim, a son of Qatar’s former prime minister, launched the bid in February. A spokesperson representing Sheikh Jassim said at the time that the bid was completely debt free, via Sheikh Jassim's Nine Two Foundation. Finnish entrepreneur Thomas Zilliacus also placed a bid on Thursday and told Reuters that he was willing to pay a premium for the English soccer club. United are the fourth richest soccer club in the world, according to analysis by Deloitte .

☆ Tottenham squander points in top-four race, Leeds out of bottom three
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-18 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Fourth-placed Tottenham have 49 points from 28 games with Newcastle United, who benefitted from a stoppage-time penalty to beat Nottingham Forest on Friday, have 47 points having played two games less. Bournemouth on 24 from 27 along with West Ham United who dropped into the relegation zone courtesy of Leeds United's impressive win at Wolves. Leicester have 25 points with Nottingham Forest, Everton and Leeds all on 26 and Wolves and Crystal Palace on 27. Tottenham substitute Pape Sarr was then adjudged in the 90th minute to have fouled Ainsley Maitland-Niles as he attempted to hack clear a bouncing ball and Ward-Prowse made no mistake to earn his side a point. Leeds will head into the international break above the relegation zone thanks to a superb display at Wolves.

The row overshadowed a migration deal struck between British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and French President Emmanuel Macron, with the BBC accused of bowing to political pressure. "Gary Lineker off air is an assault on free speech in the face of political pressure," the opposition Labour party said, calling for the BBC to re-think its decision. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport said: "Individual cases are a matter for the BBC." MOTD commentator Steve Wilson later tweeted that the show's commentators had also pulled out from Saturday's broadcast, leaving BBC management reliant on World Feed commentary. But the BBC said it considered his recent social media activity to be a breach of its guidelines.

☆ Reaction to Lineker being pulled from presenting by the BBC
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

But the decision to take Gary Lineker off air is indefensible. LABOUR PARTY LEADER KEIR STARMER"The BBC is not acting impartially by caving in to Tory MPs who are complaining about Gary Lineker." FORMER LABOUR LEADER JEREMY CORBYN"Well done Gary Lineker for standing up for refugees. FORMER CULTURE SECRETARY NADINE DORRIES"News that Gary Lineker has been stood down for investigation is welcome and shows BBC are serious about impartiality." "The perception out there is going to be that Gary Lineker, a much-loved television presenter, was taken off air after government pressure on a particular issue."

☆ BBC's Lineker refuses to budge in conflict of ideals over refugees
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-08 | by ( Rohith Nair | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

As the BBC's highest-paid employee, Lineker is the face of its sports coverage. Although the corporation has strict impartiality guidelines, that has not stopped Lineker from airing his views on Twitter where he has over 8.7 million followers. "I have never known such love and support in my life than I'm getting this morning (England World Cup goals aside, possibly). Lineker played 80 times for his country and his four goals at the 1990 World Cup despite being unwell propelled England to the semi-finals. Midway through the 2015-16 campaign, Lineker went viral on social media when he promised to present Match of the Day wearing just his underwear if his former club Leicester went on to win the Premier League title.

☆ Lethal Liverpool smash Manchester United for seven in record win
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Salah rubbed salt into United wounds with a close-range effort to score a record 129th Premier League goal for the Merseyside club, taking him past the mark of Robbie Fowler. Liverpool had thrashed United 4-0 at Anfield last April but considering the reversal of fortunes for the two clubs since, with United on the rise and Liverpool off the pace, this result was a major surprise. Liverpool's fourth win in five league matches lifted them above Newcastle United into fifth on 42 points, three points behind fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur with a game in hand. "Today you could see the energy levels and everything was back, although to be fair the last few Premier League games had shown we were on the right path." Liverpool's previous biggest win over United was a 7-1 victory in 1895 when both clubs were in the second tier.

☆ Arsenal seal thrilling comeback win, Man City maintain chase
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-04 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

City's 2-0 win sliced Arsenal's advantage to two points and when leaders Arsenal trailed 2-0 with an hour gone in north London it appeared their hold on top spot was weakening. Fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur's top-four ambitions suffered a dent as they went down 1-0 at Wolverhampton Wanderers who are gradually pulling clear of the relegation zone. Arsenal had not won a Premier League game in which they had trailed by at least two goals since 2012 so the omens looked bad for the Gunners as they were stunned by Bournemouth. 'TRICKY GAME'There was no such drama at Manchester City with Phil Foden scoring an early beauty before substitute Bernardo Silva wrapped up the points in the second half. "We won the game, we didn't suffer much at the end -- an incredible result for us because it was a tricky game," City manager Pep Guardiola said.

☆ Man United fight back to win, Spurs and Southampton out
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-01 | by ( Lori Ewing | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/4] Soccer Football - FA Cup - Fifth Round - Manchester United v West Ham United - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - March 1, 2023 West Ham United's Nayef Aguerd scores an own goal and Manchester United's first REUTERS/Carl RecineMANCHESTER, England, March 1 (Reuters) - Manchester United fought back from 1-0 down to overpower West Ham United 3-1 and reach the FA Cup quarter-finals as Premier League Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton suffered shock defeats on Wednesday. Three days after they won the League Cup Manchester United trailed to Said Benrahma's 54th-minute goal at Old Trafford but an own goal by West Ham's Nayef Aguerd and late strikes from Alejandro Garnacho and Fred sent the hosts into the last eight. Tottenham suffered a 1-0 loss at Championship side Sheffield United after Iliman Ndiaye scored 11 minutes from time to stun the visitors. Grimsby Town, 16th in League Two, continued their dream FA Cup run as two penalties by Gavan Holohan knocked out Southampton on their own ground and sent the fourth-tier side into the last eight for the first time in 84 years. Reporting by Lori Ewing, editing by Ed OsmondOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Chelsea coach Potter calls for patience after fresh defeat
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-26 | by ( William Schomberg | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Speaking after a 2-0 defeat at the home of arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur - the 13th time in 15 games in all competitions that Chelsea have failed to win - Potter said he was frustrated and disappointed by the latest setback. Potter also highlighted Liverpool boss Juergen Klopp's inability to halt the slide in form of his side after winning the Champions League and the Premier League in recent years. Potter also faced questions from reporters about his side's inability to score, having found the net only once in their last five league games. The loss of several players through injury and easing them back into action, plus integrating a host of new signings, represented challenges, Potter added. "So as a team, we're just not quite there in terms of how we want it to look and how we want to really function in a good way.

☆ 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.

☆ Soccer’s new M&A binge will mostly benefit players
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-17 | by ( Streisand Neto | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

A Qatari consortium is set to make a $6 billion offer for Man Utd, home to stars including Marcus Rashford, Bloomberg reported on Thursday. The Financial Times reported that Iranian-American billionaire Jahm Najafi is preparing a $3.8 billion swoop on Harry Kane’s Tottenham Hotspur. The Qataris’ reported Man Utd offer of $6 billion would value the New York-listed club at 8.6 times trailing revenue. Man Utd, whose financial advisers are U.S. investment bank Raine Group, has set an initial Feb. 17 deadline for bids. The Financial Times on Feb. 15 reported that Iranian-American billionaire Jahm Najafi was preparing a $3.8 billion offer for Tottenham Hotspur.

☆ Son of former Qatari PM bids for Manchester United
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-17 | by ( Anirban Sen | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester United v West Ham United - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - July 22, 2020 General view of the corner flag inside the stadium before the match, as play resumes behind closed doors following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Martin Rickett/Pool via REUTERS. Feb 17 (Reuters) - Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani, a son of Qatar’s former prime minister, on Friday launched a bid to buy Premier League soccer club Manchester United, whose American owners launched a formal sale process late last year. A deal for United is expected to shatter records for the sale of a sports business. Sheikh Jassim is the son of Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani, who is one of the richest men in the Gulf state. However, Qatari state investors, who own a stake in French champions Paris Saint-Germain, could face challenges structuring a takeover of Manchester United, as rules forbid two clubs with the same owner taking part in the lucrative Champions League.

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.

☆ Billionaire Najafi set to launch $3.75bn takeover bid for Spurs - source
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Feb 15 (Reuters) - Iranian-American billionaire Jahm Najafi, chair of MSP Sports Capital, is set to launch a $3.75 billion takeover bid for Premier League soccer club Tottenham Hotspur, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Wednesday. Najafi is also a minority shareholder in the National Basketball Association team Phoenix Suns. Tottenham, currently managed by Antonio Conte, have 39 points after 23 games in the league this season and sit two points outside the top four. Other Premier League clubs such as Manchester United and Liverpool are also seeking investment, with Qatari investors preparing to make a bid to buy United while Jim Ratcliffe's company INEOS formally entered the bidding process last month. Reporting by Emma-Victoria Farr and Manasi Pathak; Editing by Alison Williams and Christian RadnedgeOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Billionaire Najafi set to launch $3.75bn takeover bid for Tottenham Hotspur- FT
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Feb 15 (Reuters) - Iranian-American billionaire Jahm Najafi, chair of MSP Sports Capital, is set to launch a $3.75 billion takeover bid for English soccer club Tottenham Hotspur, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday, citing two people with direct knowledge of the plans. MSP Sports Capital is working with a consortium of investors to structure the bid, the report said, adding that it is weeks away from formally approaching Spurs owner Joe Lewis and the football club's chair Daniel Levy. Reporting by Juby Babu in Bengaluru; Editing by Alison WilliamsOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Arsenal are best team in the league, says Guardiola
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MANCHESTER, England, Feb 14 (Reuters) - Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola said that Arsenal are the best team in the Premier League as he prepares his side for their trip to the Emirates in Wednesday's top-of-the-table clash. "So far, they are the best team in the Premier League," Guardiola told a news conference on Tuesday. Guardiola also rejected claims that Sunday's win has provided his side with a renewed spirit, highlighting how the togetherness in his team is not swayed by results. The Spaniard added: "After (the) Arsenal (victory) there was this togetherness, they are incredible human beings. "The mood is good, really, really good for many years.

☆ Spurs can't afford more injuries says Conte ahead of Milan last-16 tie
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MILAN, Italy, Feb 13 (Reuters) - Tottenham Hotspur will be in trouble if they pick up any more injuries, coach Antonio Conte said on the eve of their Champions League last-16 first-leg tie against AC Milan. (It's) their first game in the Champions League, they are very young, 22 and 20 years old," Conte said. Milan ended a seven-game winless run in all competitions with a 1-0 home victory over Torino on Friday and coach Stefano Pioli hopes the Champions League will lift his side. "It's inevitable we suffered those negative results and the victory over Torino boosted our morale," he said on Milan TV. "Aside from that, when the Champions League comes along, it’s the Champions League.

☆ Defiant Man City see off Villa to close gap on Arsenal
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

MANCHESTER, England, Feb 12 (Reuters) - Manchester City produced a defiant response to the Premier League's charge sheet as they comfortably beat Aston Villa 3-1 to close to within three points of leaders Arsenal on Sunday. Goals by Rodri, Ilkay Gundogan and Riyad Mahrez put the result beyond doubt by halftime as City got back on track following last weekend's loss at Tottenham Hotspur. Villa were left with mission impossible when Mahrez tucked away a penalty in first-half stoppage time after Jacob Ramsey was adjudged to have tripped former Villa player Jack Grealish. Champions City have 48 points from 22 games to Arsenal's 51 from 21 and can go top if they win at Arsenal on Wednesday. "It was a bad result, but we have to learn and use it in the next matches."

☆ Leaders Arsenal held at home by Brentford, sorry Spurs thrashed at Leicester
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-11 | by ( Peter Hall | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Brighton, who have not lost this year, were held to a 1-1 draw by Crystal Palace. An eight-point advantage in the table beckoned for Mikel Arteta's side but they never looked comfortable against an enterprising Brentford who should have been ahead by halftime. The visitors got their deserved point through Ivan Toney, who pounced in the 72nd minute to head in Christian Norgaard's cross. Only Harry Kane has netted more away goals in the Premier League this season than the Brentford striker. SORRY SPURSWith manager Antonio Conte back in the dugout after missing their win against Manchester City last Sunday following gallbladder surgery, Spurs made a good start at Leicester.

☆ A future European Super League could have 80 clubs - A22 CEO
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/IllustrationBERLIN, Feb 9 (Reuters) - A future European Super League could include as many as 80 teams, Bernd Reichart, the chief executive of A22 Sports Management, a company formed to sponsor and assist in the creation of a breakaway soccer league, said on Thursday. "The vast majority of them share the assessment that the very foundation of European football is under threat, and it is time for change," A22 said. "Feedback suggests a European football league that is open, based solely on sporting merit, multidivisional with 60 to 80 clubs and a minimum of 14 guaranteed European matches per club." Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus were among 12 clubs to announce a breakaway Super League in April 2021. "The walking corpse that is the European Super League twitches again with all the self-awareness one associates with a zombie," said FSA chief executive Kevin Miles in a statement.

☆ Navas steals limelight on mixed weekend for January signings
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-06 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

January signings can be hit and miss and it was a mixed weekend for new recruits. "But I loved his composure and game management and decision making, I really enjoyed that part of his performance. He came close to a debut goal too, but ultimately it was a frustrating debut as Chelsea's attack misfired yet again. Leicester's Souttar, signed from Stoke City, enjoyed a winning debut as his side overcame Aston Villa 4-2, although scoring an own goal was hardly ideal. But Souttar, along with fellow new signing Victor Kristiansen, impressed, although not as much as another new recruit Tete, who marked his debut with a goal.

☆ Haaland can improve by watching Kane, says Guardiola
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Feb 5 (Reuters) - Manchester City striker Erling Haaland can improve by watching and learning from his Tottenham Hotspur counterpart Harry Kane, manager Pep Guardiola said before the Premier League champions travel to the north London club on Sunday. But Guardiola said Haaland can develop his all-round game by studying players like Kane, who became Tottenham's joint all-time record goalscorer on Jan. 23. "With Erling, one of the attributes that surprised me the most is how he is aware he can improve in many departments," Guardiola said. "And I'm pretty sure maybe watching Harry Kane, but not necessarily Harry, other players too, he has the will to think, 'I can do better.' "Harry Kane remains one of the best strikers I have ever seen in my life," Guardiola added.

☆ Kane's record-breaking goal seals Tottenham win over Man City
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-05 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/4] Soccer Football - Premier League - Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - February 5, 2023 Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane scores their first goal past Manchester City's Ederson and becomes Tottenham Hotspur's all time top goalscorer REUTERS/David KleinLONDON, Feb 5 (Reuters) - Manchester City's bid to chop Arsenal's Premier League lead to two points was scuppered as Harry Kane's record-breaking goal earned Tottenham Hotspur a 1-0 win over the champions on Sunday. Kane's 15th-minute effort punished some sloppy City passing and made him the north London club's all-time top goalscorer with 267, taking him past former great Jimmy Greaves whose record had stood since 1970. Tottenham then withstood a late City siege with some tenacious defending to clinch a third win in four league games over Pep Guardiola's side. Tottenham, whose manager Antonio Conte was absent after having surgery to remove his gallbladder, are fifth on 39 points from 22 games, one behind Newcastle United. "Sooner or later it is going to change, but it is strange we haven't scored one goal," Guardiola said of City's troubles with Tottenham.

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