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List of All Articles with Tag 'al'

The worst Champions League 'groups of death' ever
The worst Champions League 'groups of death' ever
The toughest Champions League groups of death in the competition's history, with the likes of Real Madrid, Manchester United and Manchester City frequently populating these fiendishly tricky matchups
2023-09-01 21:17
Europa League draw LIVE: Liverpool, Brighton, West Ham and Rangers discover fate
Europa League draw LIVE: Liverpool, Brighton, West Ham and Rangers discover fate
The Europa League group stage draw has been completed with Liverpool, Brighton, West Ham, who won the Europa Conference League last year, and Rangers discovering their opponents. Liverpool are the bookies' favourites, but Brighton are next up alongside Jose Mourinho's Roma, who recently bought Romelu Lukaku to boost their chances. Atalanta, Marseille and Villarreal are also contenders. Relive the Europa League group stage draw below and get all the latest football betting sites offers or sign up to bet365 using The Independent’s unique bonus code by clicking here: Read More Uefa calls added time rules ‘absurd’ and refuses to follow suit Rangers fail to qualify for Champions League after thrashing by PSV Eindhoven
2023-09-01 21:16
PSG agree fee to sign Eintracht Frankfurt striker Randal Kolo Muani
PSG agree fee to sign Eintracht Frankfurt striker Randal Kolo Muani
PSG have agreed a fee to sign Eintracht Frankfurt striker Randal Kolo Muani. The Ligue 1 giants will stump up €90m (£77m) but the move is dependant on the German club finding a replacement.
2023-09-01 20:56
Fraser Franks set for op – four years after heart problem ended football career
Fraser Franks set for op – four years after heart problem ended football career
Former Newport defender Fraser Franks faced a difficult “grieving process” when a heart problem cut short his football career at the age of 28. But four years on, as he prepares for surgery that will ultimately save his life, he is “grateful” the condition was picked up early – as many people are not even aware they are at risk. “I’ll be having a mechanical valve fitted and work done on my aorta,” Franks, now 32, told the PA news agency. His surgery is set for September 4. “It is a big operation and I’ll be in hospital for about 10 days. And the recovery after, I won’t be able to lift anything, even a bag of shopping, for two to three months. “With a four-year-old daughter, that’s going to be difficult for me and her,” added Franks, who shares daughter Nellie with his wife, former S Club 8 singer Stacey McClean. “It’s been a lot to get my head around. There will be certain things I can’t do afterwards and a lot of lifestyle adjustments, but I’m really happy and content with it. “I’m grateful that this has been found and that there’s a solution for me, where unfortunately a lot of people haven’t got that. “I’ve had conversations with cardiologists and surgeons (who’ve said) this is going to save my life, I probably wouldn’t live much longer with the heart I’ve currently got. So I’m really grateful for that and it’s only through playing for a professional football club that this was picked up.” Franks was born with a bicuspid valve – meaning his aortic valve – which helps control blood flow in the heart – had two cusps (flaps) instead of the usual three. The condition is believed to affect around one in every 100 people, but it often does not cause symptoms and only becomes serious if the valve begins to leak or develops severe narrowing (aortic stenosis), which is what has happened in Franks’ case. A routine medical at the age of 16 first picked up the defect. Franks, who signed with Chelsea at age eight, had always been fit and healthy, but when he signed with Brentford at 16, like all players joining pro clubs, he was given a heart scan. Further investigations revealed the bicuspid valve, but because it was not causing problems, he was given the green light to continue as normal. Franks carried on, trying not to give it too much thought – until at 28, he suddenly started feeling unwell after a game and was rushed to hospital the next day, worried he was having a heart attack. “I wasn’t having a heart attack or anything like that, but I contracted an infection. While I was in there though, I told them I’d had this heart issue when I was 16, so they scanned me and saw the condition had worsened,” he recalled. “I’d developed aortic stenosis and the valve was leaking a lot more. Then it was deemed unsafe for me to carry on playing football, so I had to stop playing there and then.” London-born Franks has teamed up with the British Heart Foundation for their September Spotlight campaign, which aims to shine a spotlight on hidden heart conditions. His story highlights how heart problems can potentially affect anyone – including those who are young and seemingly very fit and healthy. Even when symptoms are mild or barely noticeable, undetected issues could become serious and even life-threatening, which is why research and awareness is so vital. Plus, as Franks has experienced, there are complex layers and emotional challenges to living with a hidden heart condition too. Being forced to suddenly retire early when he’d previously felt fine – and still looked well on the outside – was tough. “Ever since age eight, I’d been known as ‘the footballer’. It had been my whole identity, so to retire at 28 out of the blue was difficult,” Franks explained. “I think I kidded myself in the first six months, where I was saying, ‘Yeah I’m fine, I’m enjoying retirement and all that good stuff’. But I was really struggling and drinking heavily. “I reached out and got some help and had to do a lot of therapy. It really is a grieving process and I had to figure out who I was and what I enjoyed away from being ‘the athlete’. I do a lot of work around addiction and alcohol now, because I really struggled with those things Fraser Franks “And I didn’t play at the top level, so I didn’t have savings in the bank – I had to pretty much get to work straight away and earn a living. My wife was heavily pregnant then too, so there was a lot of stress and overwhelm at that period.” Yoga and meditation also proved a huge help in coming to terms with everything and Franks has since found a new sense of purpose, channelling his experiences into helping others. He added: “I do a lot of work around addiction and alcohol now, because I really struggled with those things. “That’s become a big part of what I do now, helping people who want to transition away from sport and working with young athletes on addiction and mental health.” He took up yoga as a gentle form of exercise when doctors told him strenuous sport was too risky. “I just completely fell in love with it,” Franks added. “I’ve found a real passion for it. It’s actually a goal of mine now – it’s going to be something I’ll be thinking about when I’m in hospital – when I’m healed, I want to go to India or Bali and actually earn a qualification and get trained as a yoga teacher. “Instead of focusing on all the things I’m unable to do, that’s something I will be able to do. That brings me a lot of comfort.” :: This September, the BHF is shining a spotlight on hidden heart conditions and urging everyone to get involved by supporting the charity however they can, with stories, stuff, time or money. Visit spotlighton.bhf.org.uk Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Brighton to face European giants Ajax and Marseille in Europa League Liverpool turn down £150m offer for Mohamed Salah from Al-Ittihad Man City seal Matheus Nunes deal as Cole Palmer leaves and Man Utd sign keeper
2023-09-01 20:50
USMNT gossip: McKennie to stay, Cardoso to stay, Pefok joins Gladbach
USMNT gossip: McKennie to stay, Cardoso to stay, Pefok joins Gladbach
It is transfer deadline day in Europe but the USMNT gossip is that the players linked with moves could be set to stay at their clubs.
2023-09-01 20:46
Premier League predictions: Gameweek 4
Premier League predictions: Gameweek 4
Predicted scores for every Premier League fixture from Gameweek 4, including Manchester City's meeting with Fulham, Liverpool's contest against Aston Villa and the headline game between Arsenal and Manchester United
2023-09-01 20:17
Liverpool turn down £150m offer for Mohamed Salah from Al-Ittihad
Liverpool turn down £150m offer for Mohamed Salah from Al-Ittihad
Liverpool have rejected a £150million offer for Mohamed Salah from Saudi Arabia Pro League side Al-Ittihad. The Egypt international has been the subject of interest from the Middle East for some time and the PA news agency understands a verbal offer was made on Friday. However, the club have rejected it out of hand and consider the matter closed as the forward is not for sale. The offer is understood to have been £100m up front with a further £50m in add-ons. While the figure looks appealing for a 31-year-old Liverpool are determined to resist any attempt to lure away a player who has scored 138 goals in 221 appearances in six seasons, during which time he was won the Premier League Golden Boot on three occasions. Even if they were mindful to contemplate a sale, which sources insists is completely off the table, it would leave them with no time to find a replacement let alone one of the calibre even close to that of Salah. Asked about the prospect of Salah leaving manager Jurgen Klopp: “The position remains the same, absolutely. No doubt about that. We cannot (sell Salah). That’s how it is. Nothing else to say.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live
2023-09-01 20:16
Man City seal Matheus Nunes deal as Cole Palmer leaves and Man Utd sign keeper
Man City seal Matheus Nunes deal as Cole Palmer leaves and Man Utd sign keeper
Manchester City grabbed the early headlines on transfer deadline day as they completed the signing of Matheus Nunes from Wolves. After overcoming some minor sticking points in final negotiations over an initial £47.3m deal on Wednesday night, both clubs were able to come to an agreement on a £53million move – a club-record sale for Wolves. The 25-year-old Portugal international was keen to move to the Etihad Stadium and did not train with Wolves in order to push the move through. Nunes told the club’s official website: “I’m so happy to be joining Manchester City, the champions of Europe and a club I’ve admired for a long time. “The opportunity to work under Pep Guardiola, one of the greatest managers ever, and alongside some of the best players in the world was something I couldn’t turn down. “I’ve learned so much during my season at Wolves and I’m excited to continue improving in the Premier League, a division which brings the best out of me.” Midfielder Tommy Doyle, 21, heads the other way, joining the Molineux club on a season-long loan with the option to make the switch permanent next summer. Doyle’s exit follows that of fellow City academy product Cole Palmer, who has joined Chelsea on a seven-year contract. The PA news agency understands Chelsea will pay an initial £40million for the 21-year-old with an additional £2.5m in possible add-ons. “I’m excited to get started and it feels great to sign,” Palmer told his new club’s website. “I’ve joined Chelsea because the project here sounds good and because of the platform I will have to try to showcase my talents. It is a young and hungry squad and, hopefully, we can do something special here.” It takes spending in the 16 months since the club was acquired by Todd Boehly’s Clearlake Capital consortium to over £1billion, with Palmer the 12th player through the door during the summer transfer window. Manchester United confirmed the signing of Turkey international goalkeeper Altay Bayindir from Fenerbahce. The 25-year-old has signed an initial four-year contract at Old Trafford, with the option of a further year. Bayindir is the second goalkeeper signed by the Red Devils this summer and will provide competition to fellow new arrival Andre Onana. “It is a huge honour to join Manchester United and become the first Turkish player to represent this incredible club,” Bayindir said in the statement announcing his signing. United could add further recruits on deadline day, with a loan move for Tottenham full-back Sergio Reguilon close to completion. Nottingham Forest signed Arsenal full-back Nuno Tavares on a season-long loan, with the option of making it permanent. “Forest is an historic club which won two European Cups and to be part of it makes me really happy,” he said. “I’m really happy to stay in the Premier League as it’s the best league in the world and I’m thankful to Forest for giving me that opportunity.” Forest forward Brennan Johnson continued to be linked with a move to Tottenham. Aston Villa brought in French defender Clement Lenglet on a season-long loan from Barcelona. The centre-half spent last season on loan at Spurs, making 35 appearances in all competitions. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Newcastle ‘have to believe’ in star-studded Champions League group – Eddie Howe I love this team: Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool’s new midfield is ‘good business’ Manchester City sign Matheus Nunes from Wolves for £53million
2023-09-01 19:56
3 possible closing lineup ideas for Phoenix Suns next season
3 possible closing lineup ideas for Phoenix Suns next season
The Phoenix Suns have an absurd amount of offensive talent and the potential to create some fascinating closing lineups.
2023-09-01 19:53
PSG president offers Kylian Mbappe update on transfer deadline day
PSG president offers Kylian Mbappe update on transfer deadline day
PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi offers an update on the future of Real Madrid target Kylian Mbappe.
2023-09-01 19:45
Arsenal director confirms Gunners transfer deadline day plans
Arsenal director confirms Gunners transfer deadline day plans
Arsenal director Edu confirms the club's plans for transfer deadline day.
2023-09-01 19:23
Roundup: Taylor Swift Bringing Eras Tour to Big Screen; Utah Trounces Florida; Barstool Sports Begins Layoffs
Roundup: Taylor Swift Bringing Eras Tour to Big Screen; Utah Trounces Florida; Barstool Sports Begins Layoffs
Taylor Swift is brining the Eras Tour to movie theaters, Utah dominated Florida, Barstool Sports begins mass layoffs and more in the Roundup.
2023-09-01 19:23
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