List of All Articles with Tag 'f'

Leeds chairman Andrea Radrizzani has agreed a deal to sell his controlling stake in the club to co-owners 49ers Enterprises. As a result the American investment group, owner of NFL franchise the San Francisco 49ers and a minority shareholder in Leeds since 2018, will take full ownership. “Leeds United can confirm an agreement has been reached between Aser Ventures and 49ers Enterprises for the purchase of the club,” said a statement. “Both parties continue to work through the details, and further updates will be provided soon. “All of our focus remains on a quick return to the Premier League.” 49ers Enterprises increased its stake in Leeds to 44 per cent in 2021 with the option of buying Radrizzani’s remaining 56 per cent before January 2024. The Americans had been keen to push through a full takeover this summer, but that agreement, which had valued Leeds at around £400million, was contingent on the club remaining in the Premier League. Leeds’ relegation last month forced both parties back into intense negotiations and a valuation of close to £170m has been agreed. The deal marks the end of Radrizzani’s six-year ownership of Leeds. He completed a full takeover from fellow Italian Massimo Cellino in 2017 and initially proved hugely popular. Radrizzani bought back Elland Road stadium, which had been in private ownership since 2004, and brought in fresh investment when 49ers Enterprises purchased its first 10 per cent stake in 2018. The appointment of Marcelo Bielsa soon after proved a masterstroke as Leeds won promotion back to the Premier League for the first time in 16 years. 49ers Enterprises has steadily increased its stake, while Radrizzani’s relationship with the Leeds fanbase began to sour when Bielsa was sacked in February 2022. Leeds escaped relegation on the final day of the 2021-22 season under Bielsa’s successor Jesse Marsch and Radrizzani promised that the club would not be involved in another survival fight. But results this past season failed to improve and after Marsch was sacked in February, his replacement Javi Gracia and then Sam Allardyce, appointed with four games remaining, failed to halt the slide. When relegation was confirmed with a final-day defeat to Tottenham, Radrizzani was absent from Elland Road, opting instead to remain in Italy to finalise his takeover of Sampdoria. He later admitted Leeds’ board had made mistakes and apologised for the club’s relegation in a personal statement posted on social media. But after it emerged he had offered to use Elland Road as collateral when securing a £26m bank loan to buy Sampdoria – one of his companies and not Leeds owned the stadium – his legacy was further tainted. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Keely Hodgkinson sets new British record at Paris Diamond League Andy Murray targets the next step after reaching Surbiton semi-finals again French Open day 13: Djokovic reaches final as Alcaraz struggles with cramp

MLB Rumors: Astros get brutal injury news on Yordan AlvarezThe Houston Astros' trip north of the border did not go to plan. Not only did the club lose ground in the AL West behind the division-leading Rangers after dropping the final three games of the four-game series against the Blue Jays, ...

Former Vikings running back Dalvin Cook isn't in a rush to sign with a new team, which will make some NFL fanbases feel like tearing out their hair.One day after Dalvin Cook was released from the Minnesota Vikings, it appears as though he's enjoying his time as a free agent. Finally ou...

Zach Wilson never expected to be here at this point in his NFL career

If Jimmy Garoppolo is a no-go for the Las Vegas Raiders, then their best quarterback option might be Carson Wentz.With Tom Brady dipping his toes into team ownership, he is not able to play for the Las Vegas Raiders.Although he has a great former working relationship with Raiders head coach ...

The Suns are reportedly exploring trading Deandre Ayton, at the same time as they seek a solution for Chris Paul. These three deals could solve a lot of their problems.News that the Suns were considering waiving Chris Paul, along with considering trades for him, added some early chaos to the NBA...

A potential Mets trade involving Reds closer Alexis Diaz has gained more traction recently. There's a real possibility New York could reunite the Diaz brothers at the trade deadline.If the Mets manage to bring over closer Alexis Diaz at the trade deadline, New York will get the "Big Ap...

Pep Guardiola and Kevin De Bruyne admit winning the Champions League has become both a dream and an obsession for Manchester City. City stand on the brink of glory as they prepare to face Inter Milan in the final in Istanbul on Saturday. Guardiola’s side are strong favourites for a game that could not only see them crowned European champions for the first time but complete the treble. The Premier League winners are hoping to put years of frustration behind them after several near misses in their pursuit of the prize they covet most. De Bruyne gave his feelings on the matter when he was asked if victory was a “dream” or an “obsession” as City held a pre-match press conference at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium on Friday. “Maybe both, it depends who you ask,” said the Belgium playmaker. “Every professional player wants to win the Champions League and be on top. “If you can win the Champions League, you’ve reached one of the biggest things you can.” “To compete every year is amazing, and I’ve been able to compete against the best, but we’ve got a chance to close that if we are good enough.” City have reached the knockout stages of the tournament in each of Guardiola’s seven seasons as manager but they are yet to fulfil their ambition. Their runners-up finish two seasons ago, when they were beaten by Chelsea in the final, is the closest they have come. Guardiola, who won the competition twice as Barcelona boss, said: “It’s absolutely a dream, yes. “To achieve things you always have to have the correct proportion of obsession and desire. “It’s a positive word for the desire and will to win it. It is of course a dream for us.” City’s outstanding season has been fuelled by the goalscoring of Erling Haaland. The prolific Norwegian has netted 52 goals in an outstanding first campaign at the Etihad Stadium. Haaland admitted this week has was brought to City to win the Champions League and Guardiola – whose two previous successes came in tandem with Lionel Messi at Barcelona – hopes he proves the final piece of the jigsaw. Asked what he would advise managers hoping to emulate his achievements, Guardiola said: “Have good players – have Messi, have Haaland. This is my success. I’m not joking. “Every manager who has had success has had strong institutions and exceptional players. I’ve never scored a goal as a manager.” Haaland actually goes into the game having scored just once in his last seven outings but this is not a concern for Guardiola. “I don’t have doubts,” he said. “If you have doubts about Erling scoring you are a very lonely person. “Tomorrow he will be ready to help us win the Champions League.” Haaland has formed a potent attacking partnership with De Bruyne. De Bruyne was cheekily asked at the press conference if it had been “love at first sight” between the pair. De Bruyne said: “No. I’m happy with my wife!” Elaborating more, he added: “You have a feeling with a player and I understand what he wants. It clicked really well. He’s scored at an incredible rate and settled really easily.” De Bruyne has been chasing Champions League success with City since 2015. He said: “We have been consistent, we have been good enough, but we need to find a way to win the first one. It would be immense for the club and the fans, something amazing.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live We love the pressure – Ruben Dias confident Man City will thrive in final Republic of Ireland name 31-player training squad ahead of Women’s World Cup West Ham charged by UEFA over fan behaviour at Europa Conference League final

Breaking down more possible Braves trade targets that Atlanta should be eyeing from sellers at the MLB Trade Deadline, this time from the Tigers.On the heels of an electric series sweep of the Mets in which they came from behind to win each game, the Atlanta Braves are riding high. That's n...

Ruben Dias is confident Manchester City will thrive on the pressure in the Champions League final. The City defender has no doubt his team-mates will step up to the challenge as they face Inter Milan in Istanbul on Saturday. City have already claimed the domestic double after an outstanding late-season charge and they now stand just one win away from becoming European champions for the first time. Dias said: “We love the pressure, we love it. The pressure will make you run faster, jump higher, be more focused. “That’s what these kind of games need and we need to embrace it. We enjoy the moment and we know what it means to our club, the fans, our families and we never forget to enjoy it.” After an inconsistent spell either side of the World Cup, City hit form in the spring to reel in Arsenal at the top of the Premier League and retain their title. We love the pressure, we love it. The pressure will make you run faster, jump higher, be more focused. Ruben Dias They then powered through to the Champions League final with stunning victories over Bayern Munich and holders Real Madrid. After beating rivals Manchester United to win the FA Cup last weekend, momentum seems very much to be on their side. Dias said: “I’ve been saying this for a long time – when we get to February and the decisions come up, that’s the sweet spot. “You can see the character of a team when you arrive on these stages, you can see whether a team wants to move forward or starts hiding. “Since that moment we’ve been showing up every time and tomorrow will be no different. It’s another time for all of us to step up to the occasion.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Republic of Ireland name 31-player training squad ahead of Women’s World Cup West Ham charged by UEFA over fan behaviour at Europa Conference League final Australia on course for world title despite fielding woes against India

West Ham have been charged by UEFA following the behaviour of their fans at their midweek Europa Conference League final victory over Fiorentina. The Serie A side’s captain Cristiano Biraghi sustained a cut head after being hit by one of several plastic cups hurled at him from the end containing Hammers supporters as he went to take a first-half corner. West Ham have also been charged with an invasion of the field of play. The Italian club have landed two charges relating to the lighting of fireworks and throwing of objects. UEFA’s Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) will decide on the matter in due course. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

Matt Rhule is going back to the basics when it comes to what Nebraska football's fall camp will look like.While we all Remember the Titans, maybe one day soon we will Remember the Huskers?With Matt Rhule taking over in Lincoln, the Nebraska football head coach is having his players and ...