List of All Articles with Tag 'al'

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson has bid farewell to the club as he closes in on a move to Al-Ettifaq. The 33-year-old will bring to an end a 12-year spell at Anfield, in which he won every single major club honour, when his move to the Saudi Pro League club is confirmed. “It’s hard to put these last 12 years into words and it’s even harder to say goodbye. I will always be a Red. Until the day I die,” he posted on Instagram. “Thank you for everything. You’ll never walk alone.” He added in a video accompanying his post: “I’m in the (Liverpool) dressing room for the last time so, as you can imagine, it is very emotional. “I need to somehow explain what these last 12 years have meant for me and my family. “Being made the captain of Liverpool Football Club was one the greatest honours of my life. “From the day the armband was passed to me I did everything I could to behave like a Liverpool captain should. “Thank you for allowing me to be part of your club, thank you for your support in good time and bad.” Henderson’s move to the Middle East – where he will be reunited with former Liverpool team-mate Steven Gerrard as manager – has been in the pipeline for several weeks but on Wednesday a fan posted a video on social media of him training with his new club in Croatia. Despite the very public interest in the England international he flew out to Liverpool’s training camp in Germany 11 days ago, although he did not play in either of their friendlies out there after an offer of an initial £12million was accepted. In contrast, fellow midfielder Fabinho was left at home as a £40m bid from Al-Ittihad arrived hours before they were due to travel. The Brazil international is still awaiting the conclusion of the deal but that is expected to go through this week. Henderson’s decision to move to Saudi Arabia has come in for criticism after his staunch support for the LGBT+ community and Rainbow Laces Premier League initiative. Homosexuality is illegal and punishable by death in Saudi Arabia, while the state stands accused of a host of other abuses including placing harsh restrictions on women’s rights and the right to political protest. “Jordan Henderson is of course free to play for whoever he chooses, but we would urge him to examine Saudi Arabia’s human rights record and be prepared to speak out about human rights violations in the country,” Amnesty’s UK economic affairs director Peter Frankental told the PA news agency last week. Pride in Football, a network of LGBT+ fan groups, said in a statement: “When you see someone who has been an ally so publicly transfer to a club in a country where LGBT+ people are attacked and imprisoned, it is disappointing. “Good luck in Saudi Arabia Jordan, but you have lost the respect of so many people who valued you, and trusted you.” Liverpool’s own LGBT+ fans group Kop Outs were even more damning, saying: “Given choices he has recently made, Kop Outs doubt & question if Henderson was ever an actual ally.” While Al-Ettifaq wait to confirm Henderson’s arrival they have signed Scotland international Jack Hendry’s from from Club Brugges and former Celtic forward Moussa Dembele. Read More Jordan Henderson risks tarnishing Liverpool legacy after career built on triumph of character

The Los Angeles Angels traded for Lucas Giolito and more from the Chicago White Sox, signaling they are going for it. A Shohei Ohtani deal, it would appear, is off the table.We have a trade! And a big one at that.Lucas Giolito is one of the better rental starting pitchers on the trade market...

Man of the match Jude Bellingham’s first goal in a Real Madrid shirt and a spectacular Joselu scissor kick saw Manchester United fall to a 2-0 defeat in Houston. Just 24 hours on from the Red Devils youngsters’ loss to Wrexham in San Diego, Texas played host to Erik ten Hag’s first-team against the Spanish giants. Bellingham marked his second Madrid appearance with a lovely finish against long-term admirers United, who saw Joselu acrobatically sweep home a late second. Carlo Ancelotti’s side took control of the friendly in the sixth minute when Bellingham was put through by Antonio Rudiger to score his first goal since his recent £115million switch. There were questions over whether the England international stayed offside, but there was no getting away from the quality of the touch and 18-yard clipped finish. Madrid edged the play under the NRG Stadium roof, where goalkeeper Andre Onana looked assured on his bow but would be beaten again by former Stoke and Newcastle striker Joselu’s brilliant finish. United complete their US tour against Borussia Dortmund in Las Vegas on Sunday, with Kobbie Mainoo looking unlikely to feature. The 18-year-old got the nod to start on Wednesday but an early collision saw him limp off, with the midfielder making his way down the touchline as Madrid struck the opener. Rudiger collected the ball and spotted Bellingham’s run through the middle, meeting his pass with a smart touch before lifting it over Onana. He avoided a flag for offside despite it looking a tight call. Alejandro Garnacho cut in and fired over as United looked for a quick leveller and Mason Mount could not get a clean strike away when he had an attempt. Madrid looked the most dangerous side, wasting an opportunity from a cutback before Vinicius Jr forced Onana into a save from a tight angle. Marcus Rashford saw a clipped attempt across the face of goal come to nothing and tempers frayed as half-time approach. Lisandro Martinez’s challenge on Bukayo Saka in New Jersey on Saturday angered Arsenal, just as the defender’s foul on Bellingham did just before the break. The England midfielder got up and pushed the Argentina international, with players from both sides involved before a booking was dished out. Bellingham was withdrawn as part of five Madrid half-time alterations, with Fernandes seeing a low ball cut out and Garnacho forced Andriy Lunin to push over a snapshot. Ten Hag made a tranche of alterations midway through the second half and substitute Scott McTominay followed a marauding run from the halfway line with a shot at Lunin. Those changes swayed the momentum Madrid’s way, with Onana shifting his feet well to deny Joselu before the summer signing went close again. Diogo Dalot cleared off the line before Antony ripped a left-footed shot over and Bruno Fernandes tried his luck at the end end. There would be one final goal but it came at the wrong end from a United perspective. Lucas Vazquez crossed from the right and Joselu brilliantly struck past statuesque Onana in the 89th minute. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Billionaire whose family trust owns Spurs denies insider trading – reports Kylian Mbappe reportedly turns down chance to discuss move to Al Hilal Sussex head coach Paul Farbrace says Jofra Archer is ‘on course’ for World Cup

Justin Jefferson has become an immediate superstar with the Vikings, but now the former first-round pick is ready to embrace a new role in Minnesota.In just three seasons, there aren't many things that wide receiver Justin Jefferson hasn't been for the Minnesota Vikings.Jefferson h...

Colts owner Jim Irsay commented on the ongoing NFL running back contract dispute, and Jonathan Taylor's agent chimed in to call out Irsay.Indianapolis Colts star running back Jonathan Taylor is set to become a free agent after this season. And in the wake of the failed contract negotiations...

The Astros and Rangers rivalry got ultra-heated on Wednesday night with the benches clearing and multiple ejections after an Adolis Garcia grand slam.After the Houston Astros took the first two games of their crucial series against the rival Texas Rangers, they went for the sweep on Wednesday ni...

The team with the worst record in the NFL this past season also had big issues throwing the football. However, there’s Moore odd news for the Chicago Bears.This past season, the Chicago Bears closed a forgettable 2022 with 10 straight losses and finished with an NFL-worst 3-14 record. The ...

The Braves are reportedly interested in trading for Red Sox outfielder Adam Duvall for a possible reunion, but not before Duvall broke Atlanta's heart.Of the many possible moves that the Atlanta Braves could make at the upcoming MLB trade deadline, one that has been persistent has been the ...

The Angels were waiting as long as possible to make a decision on a Shohei Ohtani trade and their deadline plans, but they've reached it now.Over the past month or so before the Aug. 1 MLB trade deadline, all reports about the possibility of a Shohei Ohtani trade have called it unlikely. An...

With a 2-0 defeat to Canada in the second Group B contest, the Republic of Ireland were officially eliminated from the World Cup, but that does not tell the whole story.In its first-ever Women's World Cup appearance, the Republic of Ireland sent a message to the world.Irish women's...

The Women’s World Cup continues as the defending champions USA face the Netherlands in a rematch of the final four years ago. Last week, the US kicked off their bid for a third World Cup in a row as they defeated tournament debutants Vietnam 3-0, but the Netherlands are set to be their biggest test in Group E. The Dutch, who opened their campaign with a 1-0 win against Portugal, come into the World Cup without star forward Vivianne Miedema but remain one of the top contenders for the title. Four years ago, the US won their fourth World Cup crown in Paris as they defeated the Netherlands 2-0 four years ago, with Megan Rapinoe and Rose Lavelle on target, but the defending champions have a new-look squad this time around. There are 14 players in the US group who are playing at the World Cup for the first time, including forward Sophia Smith, who scored twice in the 3-0 win against Vietnam. Follow the latest World Cup scores, updates and news in today’s live blog Read More Women’s World Cup TV schedule: How to watch every match today Women’s football world rankings: Who could take No 1 at the World Cup? Ireland ‘heartbroken’ as Canada comeback reveals World Cup lesson Megan Rapinoe: The legendary US attacker and LGBT+ rights activist in profile

One big question for the Jets was Aaron Rodgers' contract for 2023 and 2024, but now he has a new contract that will help the team's Super Bowl hopes.The Green Bay Packers have to be shaking their heads in dismay after Aaron Rodgers' latest decision with the New York Jets.When...