List of All Articles with Tag 'football'

Australia and New Zealand are scrambling to come up with solutions to name the 14 stadiums necessary for a World Cup 2034 bid in time for the 31 October deadline, potentially clearing the way for Saudi Arabia even more. Fifa's requirements state that all of the stadiums must have a capacity of at least 40,000 seats, but there are currently only 11 that fit that profile across the two countries. What's more, some of the Australian stadiums that meet the criteria are cricket ovals, with sightlines that aren't really suitable for football. The bidding documents do state that only four of the named venues need to be "existing stadiums" but it is naturally asking a lot to secure construction commitments in the 26 days between the bidding process opening and closing. The circumstances have brought further commentary within the game that the 2034 bidding has almost been set up as a fait accompli for Saudi Arabia, and they had their potential bid ready to go once the process was announced. With Jordan Henderson and Saudi Pro League players backing the bid. The country is currently undergoing a huge sporting expansion, and staging the World Cup is seen as a huge part of Mohammed Bin Salman's 'Vision 2030'. Although the 2030 event had initially been the target, Saudi Arabia was politically outmanoeuvred by the initial Portugal-Spain bid, as Morocco was brought in to split the African vote. The fact it was the centenary of the competition only strengthened the idea of a cross-continental event, with Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay subsequently brought in for the opening games. Saudi Arabia instead decided to shift all energy to a 2034 bid, in which the rules behind continental rotation mean that World Cup can only be held in Asia or Oceania. It makes Australia-New Zealand the only likely competitor for 2034, although with increasing complications. A statement from Football Australia CEO James Johnson read: “As stated previously, Football Australia is exploring the possibility of bidding for the 2029 Fifa Club World Cup and/or the Fifa World Cup 2034. We acknowledge Fifa’s communication regarding the Fifa World Cup 2034 and we are encouraged that after the hugely successful Fifa World Cup Qatar 2022 and Fifa Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023, the football family of Asia and Oceania will once again have the opportunity to showcase their ability to welcome the world and host the best Fifa tournaments.” The reference to the Asia football family has been interpreted as instructive by involved figures. Another complicated solution for Australia and New Zealand is to potentially bring in a third partner, but that would inevitably have to be a country from thousands of miles away in the Asian Football Confederation. It is understood that the body have made it clear Saudi Arabia is their preferred choice, putting off any bid from Japan and Korea. The prohibitive circumstances also illustrate how limiting a 48-team competition is going to be in finding hosts in the future. Read More 2030 World Cup will be hosted by six countries across three continents, Fifa announces FIFA set to approve letting Russian youth soccer national teams return to competition Gareth Southgate questions ‘integrity’ of 2030 World Cup format Fifa clears the way for Saudi Arabia to host 2034 World Cup Jordan Henderson plays the tool on road to Saudi Arabia’s inevitable World Cup Gareth Southgate positive about UK and Ireland bid for Euro 2028

VIDEO: Sunday Night Football crew breaks down fan proposal.

Former Israeli footballer Lior Asulin is among those killed by Hamas militants at the Supernova music festival. Early on Saturday morning, Hamas targeted the festival, a techno rave in the desert near the Gaza border, with videos shared on social media and by Israeli news outlets showing dozens of festival-goers running through an open field as gunshots rang out. The Israeli rescue service Zaka later said its paramedics removed more than 260 bodies from the festival following the militant attack. The total figure of bodies found is expected to be higher, as other paramedic teams were also working in the area and Zaka added that the bodies “haven’t all been collected yet”. It has now been confirmed that among those dead was ex-footballer Asulin, who had a 20-year professional career from 1997 to 2017. He played in the Israeli Premier League for teams such as Hapoel Tel Aviv, Beitar Jerusalem and Maccabi Herzliya, while also having a spell on loan in Cyprus with Apollon Limassol. And Hapoel Tel Aviv confirmed his death with a post on Twitter/X expressing their condolences to Asulin’s family. “With great sadness, after many hours when he was declared missing, we have been informed that our former player Lior Asulin was murdered by terrorists at the party in Re’im,” Hapoel announced. “The Hapoel Tel Aviv club bows its head and sends condolences and strength to Lior’s family at this difficult time.” The striker scored more than 175 goals during his career and, while on loan at Bnei Sakhnin during the 2003-04 season, helped them become the first Arab team to win the Israel State Cup after beating Hapoel Haifa 4-1 in the final. Off the field, Asulin reportedly spent time in prison, being released in August 2022, and he was celebrating his 43rd birthday at the Supernova festival before his untimely death. Eyal Lachman, who managed Asulin during his trophy-winning loan spell at Bnei Sakhnin, also expressed his condolences after the news. Lachman said: “A guy with a heart of gold, that was his most outstanding characteristic, they always said that his most outstanding characteristic was to give back, I saw that the most outstanding characteristic was to give his friends his soul. “I heard yesterday that he was missing, the first thought that came to my mind was what a beautiful life he could have had and what a different life he spent at the end. Very sad, all the time he simply suffered.” Read More Israel-Hamas war – live: IDF orders ‘complete siege’ on Gaza as Supernova festival death toll rises Timeline of Supernova festival attack that left hundreds dead in Israel Heartbreaking final texts from American man who went missing in Hamas festival attack Robbie Keane forced to flee Israel amid Hamas attacks Pep Guardiola coy on Kyle Walker bust-up with Arsenal coach Pep Guardiola’s career record as Man City suffer rare back-to-back league losses

A big-name star is set to square off with his old team for the first time on Monday Night Football in Week 5.

Pep Guardiola refused to discuss the incident between Kyle Walker and Arsenal set-piece coach Nicolas Jover after Manchester City’s 1-0 loss to the north London side. Following City’s second consecutive Premier League loss for the first time since 2018, the defender was involved in a confrontation with Jover, who previously worked for City. In the footage, it appeared that Jover held out his hand to Walker, who declined the handshake. It is unclear whether words were exchanged in the interim, but an agitated Walker threw his hands up before turning around to talk to the coach. Walker squared up to Jover before teammate Erling Haaland joined them. Multiple members of staff and players from the two teams got involved to try and diffuse the situation. “I know what happened, but I don’t want to say anything, They [Arsenal] know it,” Guardiola said. Bukayo Saka was also seen leading Jover away, while Walker’s emotions didn’t appear to subside as he was led down the tunnel by teammates while still engaging in a heated conversation. Gabriel Martinelli's goal in the 86th minute of the match at The Emirates gave the home side the narrow victory that moved the unbeaten Arsenal into the second place in the table. In addition to last week’s 2-1 loss to Wolves, City move to third. While Guardiola didn’t shed much light on the incident with Walker, he spoke about what City need to do to put themselves back to winning ways. "No team has ever won four in a row," he said. "Defeats can happen, but we are in October. Sometimes it is good going behind. It is not the first time going behind for the contenders. Last season we were much, much behind, but the season is long. It has happened. "In Wolves, it was a difficult game. Congratulations to Arsenal. We know exactly what we have to do and we do it. We recover people coming back and try to break immediately as soon as possible against tough opponents like Brighton and United." Read More Mikel Arteta hails ‘fantastic’ young Arsenal side as they break Man City hex How Arsenal finally ended their winless streak against Manchester City Why Manchester City’s struggles might have only just begun

Birmingham have sacked head coach John Eustace despite a bright start to the season, increasing rumours of former England captain Wayne Rooney taking charge at the club. Eustace led Birmingham to safety last season, while a come-from-behind 3-1 derby win over West Brom on Friday left Blues sixth in the Sky Bet Championship after 11 fixtures heading into the international break. While Birmingham recognised in a statement Eustace had “helped to stabilise and strengthen the club” in his 15 months at the helm, they have decided to part company with the ex-Republic of Ireland assistant. “It is essential that the board of directors and the football management are fully aligned on the importance of implementing a winning mentality and a culture of ambition across the entire football club,” the statement on Birmingham’s official website said. “With this in mind, Birmingham City has parted company with head coach John Eustace. “A new first-team manager will be announced in the coming days who will be responsible for creating an identity and clear ‘no fear’ playing style that all Birmingham City teams will adopt and embrace.” Eustace succeeded Lee Bowyer in July 2022 and helped Birmingham finish nine points above the drop zone in the second tier amid off-field issues surrounding the ownership of the club. Despite just three defeats so far this season, it was reported over the weekend Eustace’s position was under threat as the club’s new American owners sought a big-name appointment. Former Manchester United striker Rooney would seemingly fit the bill after he announced on Sunday he would be leaving DC United following their failure to qualify for the Major League Soccer play-offs. “It’s just the right time,” he said in quotes reported by the Washington Post. “I have really enjoyed my time here. But I just feel it’s the right time to go back to England. What lies ahead, I don’t know.” Read More Ireland wings Mack Hansen and James Lowe on mend ahead of New Zealand showdown Jos Buttler concerned by ‘poor’ outfield ahead of England clash with Bangladesh Football rumours: Wayne Rooney in the running for Birmingham job

Pep Guardiola lost back-to-back Premier League games for only the third time as Manchester City went down 1-0 to Arsenal on Sunday. It has happened only six times in all competitions for City under Guardiola and here, the PA news agency looks at the Spaniard’s overall managerial record. No points from six Gabriel Martinelli’s winner for Arsenal followed Hwang Hee-chan’s for Wolves against City last weekend. It was the first time City had taken no points from a pair of league games since losing to Crystal Palace and Leicester across Christmas 2018. Luka Milivojevic’s penalty proved decisive for Palace before Kevin De Bruyne cut the final margin to 3-2, and Leicester then overcame Bernardo Silva’s Boxing Day opener to win 2-1 through Marc Albrighton and Ricardo Pereira. The Foxes were also the team to inflict City’s second successive loss in December 2016, Jamie Vardy with a hat-trick as Claudio Ranieri’s side won 4-2. Sergio Aguero and Fernandinho were suspended after late red cards as City lost their previous game 3-1 to Chelsea. Long run at an end Before this weekend, City were out on their own in terms of time without back-to-back Premier League defeats. Ten teams had suffered that fate this season – Burnley, Sheffield United and Bournemouth most recently, plus West Ham, Brentford, Luton, Manchester United, Wolves, Newcastle and Everton. Eight more of the 20 current top-flight sides – Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham, Aston Villa, Fulham, Nottingham Forest, Liverpool and Crystal Palace – lost back-to-back games earlier in 2023. The one other exception, Brighton, last did so in October of last year – almost four years more recently than City, whose run since Boxing Day 2018 stood at 178 games. City host Brighton in their next game after the international break. Three in a row Albion will be the team looking to inflict a first hat-trick of Premier League defeats on Guardiola, whose team are alone in losing no more than two in a row since his arrival in 2016. Arsenal and Spurs are closest with their longest run being three defeats. Fulham had the longest losing run overall, nine games, with eight for Sheffield United and Palace. Guardiola has twice lost three in a row across all competitions with City, first in April 2018 when a 3-2 league defeat to a Paul Pogba-inspired Manchester United was sandwiched between losses in both legs of the Champions League quarter-final against Liverpool. The other sequence spanned three competitions and two seasons – the 2021 Champions League final against Chelsea followed by the Community Shield against Leicester and the 2021-22 Premier League opener at Tottenham. The recent Wolves loss came on the back of a Carabao Cup exit against Newcastle, while the December 2018 Premier League defeats were uninterrupted by any other competition. The other pairs came in early 2020, to Manchester United in the League Cup and Tottenham in the league, and January of this year when Southampton knocked them out of the Carabao Cup – and denied them a shot at a quadruple – before the Red Devils beat them in the league. Long-term pattern for Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona side lost back-to-back LaLiga games only twice in four seasons, both in 2009 – first to Espanyol and Atletico Madrid, then Mallorca and Osasuna. They also lost Champions League and league games consecutively twice, to Wisla Krakow and Numancia in his second and third games in charge in 2008 and to Chelsea and Real Madrid in April 2012. With Bayern Munich in May 2015, he suffered consecutive defeats to Bayer Leverkusen and Augsburg domestically and Barca in the Champions League. They won the return leg of that tie but Freiburg then made it three straight league defeats. His only other consecutive Bundesliga losses came in April 2014 against Augsburg and Borussia Dortmund. Read More Beating Manchester City will only boost Arsenal’s belief – Gabriel Martinelli John Eustace sacked amid reports Birmingham keen to make Wayne Rooney manager Ireland wings Mack Hansen and James Lowe on mend ahead of New Zealand showdown Jos Buttler concerned by ‘poor’ outfield ahead of England clash with Bangladesh Football rumours: Wayne Rooney in the running for Birmingham job Quarterback Brock Purdy stars as San Francisco 49ers thrash the Dallas Cowboys

Gabriel Martinelli says Arsenal’s inherent belief will only be boosted by beating champions Manchester City as Mikel Arteta’s men look to go one step further than last season. The Gunners captured the imagination during a strong 2022-23 campaign, only to ultimately finish second as Pep Guardiola’s side scooped a third straight title in a storming end to the season. Arsenal’s inability to take a point off them was key in them finishing second and Sunday saw them finally beat City in the league for the first time since 2015, building on their Community Shield shoot-out triumph against the treble winners. The half-time introduction of Martinelli after three weeks out with a hamstring injury proved inspired, adding extra impetus to the attack before eventually hitting a late winner that deflected in off Nathan Ake to seal a 1-0 victory. “We know how hard it is to play against them,” the Brazil international said. “It was a great performance from the team and a great win. “Of course (it gives us more belief we can win this season’s title). We are Arsenal and we are always believing about the title. “To win against a big side like them is great and we just need to carry on. “A special day for me. I tried my best, really hard, to be back with the team and it was a great moment for me. “It’s always good to win against the big teams and we did it today. I’m so happy.” Arsenal remain unbeaten eight league matches into the season and are level in terms of points and goal difference with leaders Tottenham, with their bitter rivals only ahead on goals scored. “When you play for Arsenal you have to always believe and this is what we do,” Martinelli said as they look to bring the Premier League title back to north London for the first time since 2004. “We play for Arsenal and we always believe we can win the titles. “It’s another year. We’re going to try to improve things and try to do better than last year. “Yeah, I think (there is more depth). We have a great team and it’s important to have a lot of options.” Sunday’s victory win was made all the more impressive by the fact Arsenal’s star man Bukayo Saka was missing, with a muscle injury ending his run of 87 successive Premier League appearances. “We know our potential,” Martinelli said. “We know his potential and how important he is for us. “Today we did our best, tried to win the game for our fans, for us and for B as well.” Arsenal return to action at Chelsea after the international break, while wounded City look to get their title defence back on track at home to Brighton. Guardiola’s men have lost three of their last four matches in all competitions, including back-to-back Premier League matches for the first time since December 2018. City midfielder Bernardo Silva said: “It’s a setback but it’s still the beginning. We’re far away from the end of the season. “It was not the result we wanted. Against a tough opponent it is never easy to play. “We felt the game was tough for both teams. Both are tough and organised and tense. We had a few chances in the beginning. “In the end it was a deflection. In my opinion we gave them too much time to think at that moment. We have to be more intense in the pressing. “It is what it is. It’s part of football and we move onto the next one.” City struggled to lay a glove on an Arsenal side that they had beaten in 12 consecutive Premier League meetings before Sunday. Guardiola’s men mustered a mere four shots at the Emirates Stadium, but Silva is not getting carried away with the loss or the recent drop off. “Some of these results we were not expecting and we didn’t want them to happen,” he told club media. “Last season we won the treble but there was a point that nothing was going our way. “How you overcome these moments is what defines the team and we will keep fighting for all the games. We’re going for it again.”

A look at who is playing on Monday Night Football in Week 5.

Bukayo Saka will not join up with England for international duty next week, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has revealed. Saka was missing for the Gunners’ 1-0 win over Manchester City after struggling with a hamstring issue during recent matches. The absence of Saka ended his run of appearing in 87 consecutive Premier League games and Arteta says he will now sit out England’s upcoming fixtures with Australia (October 13) and Italy (October 17). “No, he will not make it,” Arteta said. “He has not trained for a single session. He is not available to play football at the moment.” He has not trained for a single session. He is not available to play football at the moment. Mikel Arteta on Bukayo Saka The 22-year-old winger limped off during Arsenal’s loss at Lens on Tuesday, having also been withdrawn in last weekend’s victory at Bournemouth. England manager Gareth Southgate had stated on Thursday he would take no risks with Saka despite the Italy clash being a crucial European Championship qualifier. “I can only go via what Mikel (Arteta) has said about the last few games,” Southgate said earlier this week. “We look after the players as well as any country. There’s always a focus on our players because they are playing their club football, in the main, in England and then we are playing here as well. “Whereas all the other countries call the players that are playing in the Premier League and nobody looks at how they look after them and how they train them. “When we have really good dialogue with all of their clubs, I think they pretty much all would agree that we probably give better feedback than every other nation. “They have trust in us that we make decisions that are right for the long term whenever we can. We only have 10 matches a year. And there’s been times when… Bukayo, for example, we haven’t always played. “But there are certain key games where, if it’s possible to have your best players, then you do want to have them. “So we’ve got that responsibility of qualifying for the country but… I’ve been a player… I’ve never ever taken a risk on a player’s physical wellbeing. And nor would I.” Read More Football rumours: Wayne Rooney in the running for Birmingham job Quarterback Brock Purdy stars as San Francisco 49ers thrash the Dallas Cowboys On this day in 2015: Sam Allardyce appointed Sunderland manager The sporting weekend in pictures Luke Humphries beats Gerwyn Price to claim first major title at World Grand Prix James Maddison pleased to see unbeaten Spurs ‘dig deep’ like ‘top team’ at Luton

Bukayo Saka will not join up with England for international duty next week, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has revealed. Saka was missing for the Gunners’ 1-0 win over Manchester City after struggling with a hamstring issue during recent matches. The absence of Saka ended his run of appearing in 87 consecutive Premier League games and Arteta says he will now sit out England’s upcoming fixtures with Australia (October 13) and Italy (October 17). “No, he will not make it,” Arteta said. “He has not trained for a single session. He is not available to play football at the moment.” He has not trained for a single session. He is not available to play football at the moment. Mikel Arteta on Bukayo Saka The 22-year-old winger limped off during Arsenal’s loss at Lens on Tuesday, having also been withdrawn in last weekend’s victory at Bournemouth. England manager Gareth Southgate had stated on Thursday he would take no risks with Saka despite the Italy clash being a crucial European Championship qualifier. “I can only go via what Mikel (Arteta) has said about the last few games,” Southgate said earlier this week. “We look after the players as well as any country. There’s always a focus on our players because they are playing their club football, in the main, in England and then we are playing here as well. “Whereas all the other countries call the players that are playing in the Premier League and nobody looks at how they look after them and how they train them. “When we have really good dialogue with all of their clubs, I think they pretty much all would agree that we probably give better feedback than every other nation. “They have trust in us that we make decisions that are right for the long term whenever we can. We only have 10 matches a year. And there’s been times when… Bukayo, for example, we haven’t always played. “But there are certain key games where, if it’s possible to have your best players, then you do want to have them. “So we’ve got that responsibility of qualifying for the country but… I’ve been a player… I’ve never ever taken a risk on a player’s physical wellbeing. And nor would I.” Read More Arsenal ran out of steam last season – but this is a very different Mikel Arteta team Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta hails ‘maturity’ of young Gunners after City win Gabriel Martinelli snatches last-gasp victory for Arsenal against Man City Fortune favours Arsenal as Mikel Arteta finally outdoes Pep Guardiola Pep Guardiola says he learned ‘a lot’ from Mikel Arteta ahead of Sunday reunion Pep Guardiola does not think Arsenal clash will have major bearing on title race

The defenders have got more Premier League assists than the midfielders and the forwards have between them. The defensive midfielders have three times as many league goals as the many forwards have mustered. Welcome to Manchester United, where few things go quite as planned, where Saturday’s spectacular salvage job from a fan who has been on the books for two decades involved a brace from Scott McTominay, not Marcus Rashford. They trailed for an hour against Crystal Palace. It is the sort of scenario in which managers rarely replace their top scorer. Yet as their leading marksman is another defensive midfielder, Casemiro, that was not the most notable element of his half-time removal. Nor, even, was it Erik ten Hag’s somewhat brutal explanation for introducing Christian Eriksen. “I wanted more football,” the United manager said. “Someone who brings passing and link-up play.” The Brazilian had brought passing: he passed the ball to Bryan Mbuemo to set Brentford on their way to an opener, a goal for which he arguably made three mistakes. And yet the pertinent part was simply the fact he was taken off. Ten Hag’s talismen are no longer untouchables. Rashford has been taken off in the last three games, each at a point when United needed a goal. And if suggests that neither status nor last season’s excellence can protect them forever, it is also an indication that each ranks among this season’s disappointments. All of which meant Casemiro’s status as an award winner was revealing of a wider malaise at Old Trafford. He had won September’s player-of-the-month prize with a whopping 70 percent of the vote. Perhaps a tour de force in the Carabao Cup victory over Crystal Palace, along with some recency bias, helped. Maybe a brace against Bayern Munich did, too, though it came too late to be relevant. Yet it pointed to a lack of alternatives: by Casemiro’s standards, he did not play well in September. It will be still more damning if he retains the award for October. Casemiro’s two appearances this month have ended early: sent off against Galatasaray, hauled off against Brentford, there were two warning signs. The first came from the officials, the second from the manager. If his red card in the Champions League owed much to Andre Onana, with Casemiro’s desperate slide at Dries Mertens coming after the goalkeeper had coughed up possession, it nevertheless felt symbolic. Casemiro’s tackling technique means he goes to ground too often. As he is getting slower, he is likelier to foul. The naked eye suggests he has been exposed, isolated and bypassed too often, in part when Ten Hag’s tactics have left him stranded behind Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount. The statistics show the supposed ball-winner is regaining it less often. In turn, that may mean he is sent off more often. Casemiro is making fewer interceptions: 0.69 per 90 minutes, compared to 1.43 last season and 2.17 for Real in 2020-21. His 2.91 tackles per 90 minutes is down from 3.77. He is winning fewer than half of his duels, according to Soccerment statistics. To put it another way, the defensive midfielder is not protecting the defence. The goals and assists that he, Scott McTominay and the back four have got are welcome but the defensively-minded personnel have failed to do their day job too often. If Onana is the most obvious culprit, he is not the only one. The intriguing element was that, arguably, Brentford was the first time where Casemiro began in midfield but not as the holding player. With Sofyan Amrabat starting in his preferred position, ending the unsuccessful experiment of deploying the Moroccan at left-back, Casemiro was often found in more advanced areas. As Ten Hag indicated, Eriksen is more of a playmaker and was then granted those duties instead. Yet as Casemiro’s United career shows, he can be both scorer and creator. He has the talent to contribute as each. Perhaps his future could lie as a constructive presence. Yet he was bought as a destructive one. His growing immobility provides a concern that this is not just a loss of form or an issue with United’s tactics. There is the opportunity to look for more solidity by pairing Casemiro and Amrabat in front of the back four. But there is the ticking timebomb that came with his transfer. Real Madrid pensioned Casemiro off, taking £63m for a player in his thirties. He has almost three years left on one of the biggest contracts in United’s history. He would not be the first player to be paid to decline at Old Trafford; perhaps now Ten Hag has signalled to Casemiro that he has to prove he is not a fading force, that his past and his Champions Leagues are no guarantee of a place when Amrabat could play instead. “In football it is eat or get eaten,” the United manager said. If Casemiro polished off the partnership of McFred, Saturday was one of the finest days of McTominay’s United career, and among the worst of his. Read More Arsenal deal substantial blow to Manchester City, but the significance will only be felt in May Erik ten Hag wants Man Utd late show to be ‘a turning point’ Erik ten Hag reveals how close Manchester United came to selling Scott McTominay Rasmus Hojlund says Manchester United must ‘stick together’ in ‘tough period’ Erik ten Hag vows to fight on ‘together’ with Manchester United Jude Bellingham helps Real Madrid to victory and Bayern Munich hit back to win