List of All Articles with Tag 'football'

Kylian Mbappe has told Paris St Germain he will not take up a one-year contract extension, according to reports, so could be sold this summer or will be able to leave as a free agent at the end of next season. The 24-year-old, signed from Monaco for £160million in 2018 which was a world-record fee for a teenager, continues to be linked with a move to Real Madrid. According to reports, France World Cup winner Mbappe left the PSG hierarchy stunned by the decision which was presented in a formal letter and follows on from Lionel Messi announcing his departure to Major League Soccer side Inter Miami. PSG now appear set to have to weigh up whether to sell Mbappe – who scored a hat-trick in France’s defeat by Argentina in the 2022 World Cup final – or see him leave the club for nothing at the end of his current deal in June 2024. Reports in France had suggested PSG were hopeful over an extension to Mbappe’s contract. However, Real Madrid could now step up their interest as they look to bolster the forward line after veteran Karim Benzema’s move to Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

Manchester City paraded the Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup trophies on an open-top bus tour of the city on Monday evening. Despite torrential downpours and the threat of lightning storms, thousands of fans came out to cheer the treble winners as the streets were turned into a sea of blue. Here, the PA news agency takes a look at some of the event’s memorable images.

Sleep-deprived Manchester City winger Jack Grealish admits he has had “the best day and night” as the club celebrated their treble-winning season following the capture of the Champions League title. Even a typical Manchester downpour and passing lightning storm could not dampen spirits as Pep Guardiola and his squad paraded their newly-acquired European Cup alongside the Premier League trophy and FA Cup. City returned from Istanbul on Sunday afternoon and it has been one long party – with celebrations set to continue for a while longer as Grealish was overheard to ask striker Erling Haaland: ‘Are we having it?’ while on their one-mile tour around the city centre. Haaland’s response was to empty a bottle of champagne over the £100million signing, who later told a large crowd assembled in St Peter’s Square: “For the past 24 hours I’ve had the best day and night. To be fair I don’t think I’ve had any sleep.” The players had arrived for their parade via Metrolink tram from the Etihad Stadium but the weather delayed proceedings somewhat. Supporters had expected to be let into the fanzone in front of the stage at 5pm but due to the threat of lighting storms that was pushed back by 90 minutes. Rain started falling shortly after 6pm and, as a result, the start of the proceedings was delayed by 40 minutes but it did not deter the fans who came out in their droves to cheer on City’s squad and manager Guardiola, all wearing matching ‘Treble winners’ T-shirts. Halfway around those now-drenched T-shirts started to be dispensed with as City’s 52-goal striker Haaland threw his into the crowd and, with the rest of the squad, arrived on stage 45 minutes later than expected still topless. “We had to be the best parade with this rain, otherwise it is not Manchester,” Guardiola said to the delight of the waiting crowd. “We don’t want sunshine, we want rain, so it was perfect. They (fans) are used to the rain.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

Rain and the threat of lightning storms could not dampen Manchester City’s open-top bus parade to celebrate their treble success on Monday evening. Thousands of fans had lined the streets to cheer on Pep Guardiola’s squad who secured the Champions League trophy with victory over Inter Milan in Istanbul on Saturday night to add to the Premier League title and FA Cup. Access to the stage show site on St Peter’s Square was initially delayed due to reports of adverse weather conditions and lightning storms in the area, with the club later confirming the start of the trophy parade from Beetham Tower on Deansgate was put back until 7pm. The team took the tram to St Peter’s Square, where four buses set off down Deansgate and onto Cross Street, before heading via King Street, Brown Street and then Booth Street with the parade scheduled to finish at Nicholas Street. Defender Nathan Ake held aloft the Premier League trophy to the delight of the City fans who had braved the rain, many following down on foot towards the stage celebrations once the route was clear. Midfielder Phil Foden waved the Champions League trophy, while Guardiola smoked a cigar as he took in the scenes. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

Everton have begun overhauling their board by announcing a trio of departures led by chief executive Denise Barrett-Baxendale, with the future of chairman Bill Kenwright set to be addressed in the next 48 hours. Barrett-Baxendale, chief finance and strategy officer Grant Ingles and non-executive director Graeme Sharp – who is also the club’s record post-war goalscorer – have left their roles a fortnight after the club escaped relegation from the Premier League on the final day of the season. Everton will announce their interim replacements, along with a decision on the future of Kenwright, this week. Along with Kenwright, the three directors had been prevented from attending matches at Goodison Park since mid-January because of fan opposition that entailed “threats to safety and security”. Supporters chanted “sack the board” at every game, including after the club’s Premier League survival was ensured. “The outgoing directors have worked tirelessly over recent months to assist with the preparation for a transition to a new board,” an Everton statement read. “The club is very appreciative of this generous accommodation, which is both characteristic of them and entirely in the spirit of the best values of our club.” Everton have cumulative losses of more than £430m and the exit of the directors was seen as inevitable with American investors MSP Sports Capital in talks about investment to fund the new stadium but the possibility of a full takeover also on the table. “We have all been fully committed during our time here and are disappointed to have made the decision to leave Everton,” a statement from the three directors read. “We have worked tirelessly alongside our chairman in what has been a challenging period to deliver some of the most significant projects in Everton’s history – projects that will safeguard and sustain the commercial future of the club for generations to come. “It has been an honour and a privilege to serve as directors. We would like to thank everyone who has supported us during our time here. We wish the club we have loved to serve every success in the future.” Read More Everton’s great escape will not automatically solve problems – leading academic Everton fans storm pitch after beating relegation before chants to ‘sack the board’ Everton chairman Bill Kenwright ‘hurt’ by having to stay away from Goodison Park

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Everton have begun overhauling their board by announcing a trio of departures led by chief executive Denise Barrett-Baxendale, with the future of chairman Bill Kenwright set to be addressed in the next 48 hours. Barrett-Baxendale, chief finance and strategy officer Grant Ingles and non-executive director Graeme Sharp have left their roles a fortnight after the club escaped relegation from the Premier League on the final day of the season. Everton will announce their interim replacements, along with a decision on the future of Kenwright, this week. Along with Kenwright, the three directors had been prevented from attending matches at Goodison Park since mid-January because of fan opposition that entailed “threats to safety and security”. “The outgoing directors have worked tirelessly over recent months to assist with the preparation for a transition to a new board,” an Everton statement read. “The club is very appreciative of this generous accommodation, which is both characteristic of them and entirely in the spirit of the best values of our club.” Everton have cumulative losses of more than £430million and the exit of the directors was seen as inevitable with American investors MSP Sports Capital poised to buy into the club. “We have all been fully committed during our time here and are disappointed to have made the decision to leave Everton,” a statement from the three directors read. “We have worked tirelessly alongside our chairman in what has been a challenging period to deliver some of the most significant projects in Everton’s history – projects that will safeguard and sustain the commercial future of the club for generations to come. “It has been an honour and a privilege to serve as directors. We would like to thank everyone who has supported us during our time here. We wish the club we have loved to serve every success in the future.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

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Aaron Ramsey insists his focus is fully on Wales’ Euro 2024 ambitions amid uncertainty over his Nice future. Ramsey has triggered a one-year contract extension at Nice after playing more than 30 games for the Ligue 1 club this season. But it has been reported in the French media that the 32-year-old midfielder wants a longer deal to stay at Nice and that may not be forthcoming. “I’m not sure what my future is at the moment,” Ramsey said ahead of Wales’ Euro 2024 double-header against Armenia and Turkey. “The most important thing is for me to focus on these games. “We will find out in a few weeks’ time, when everything has settled down a bit. “My full focus is on Friday (against Armenia). I’ll have to keep you guys (the press) waiting a bit longer.” Ramsey says his family, who have stayed in Cardiff while he has played in France and travelled to and from Wales, will be instrumental in the decision over his playing future. I'm not sure what my future is at the moment. We will find out in a few weeks' time, when everything has settled down a bit Aaron Ramsey It has led to speculation that Ramsey could return to Cardiff this summer, the Sky Bet Championship club where he began his career before moving to Arsenal in 2008 and spending 11 seasons in north London. That particular rumour mill went into overdrive last week when Cardiff chairman Mehmet Dalman told supporters to expect an “exciting” signing this summer. Ramsey said: “There’s always rumours going around, isn’t there? There is always that bit of noise. “This season has been a success for me personally, I played a lot of games and some good football. The only thing missing was a few goals, but that will come again. “The most challenging thing is being away from my family. That’s the situation I find myself in. “I’ve been away from my family and seeing the kids growing up, missing out, it’s always difficult. Difficult for anyone to go through, I imagine. “Whatever we do going forward, we will be reunited and back together.” Wales host Armenia in Cardiff on Friday before heading to Turkey three days later, having made a positive start to Euro 2024 qualifying. Rob Page’s side picked up four points from their opening two games in March, drawing away to World Cup semi-finalists Croatia before beating Latvia at home. Ramsey said: “This is a massive camp for us. The World Cup was a huge disappointment for us, and it was important to get off to a good start. “To bounce back straightaway in those two games sets us up nicely. “It’s huge now to back that up against Armenia. It’s a game we need to win and all our attention is on that.” Ramsey missed Nice’s last four games of the season with a calf problem. But he is confident of playing roles against both Armenia and Turkey, saying: “The last couple of weeks I did not play, but before that I had a good run of games. “I got myself in good shape so there’s not too much to be worried about. “I’ve had a good season and we had a bit of a European run as well. I’m 100 per cent ready to play to help us win.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Hugo Salabio facing six-match ban for spear tackle Manchester City’s treble winners arguably greatest ever English team – Joe Royle Brentford turn Kevin Schade loan move into permanent club-record deal

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Former Manchester City boss Joe Royle says Pep Guardiola’s current side is “one of, if not the best” English football has seen. City completed the treble on Saturday night with victory over Inter Milan in the Champions League final and Royle has no doubts where Guardiola’s class of 2023 ranks in the all-time list. Royle, 74, who led City from the third tier to the Premier League after back-to-back promotions in 1999 and 2000, told the PA news agency: “There’s no doubt about it. They’re one of, if not the best English club side there has been. “They’ve got to be talked of as one of them. They can play off the cuff or play in various systems and they can counter very quickly. “They’ve got world-class individuals, they’ve got the team ethic and they’ve got a very, very strong squad, covering every position.” Manchester United became the first English side to win the treble – league title, FA Cup and Champions League – under Sir Alex Ferguson in 1999, the same year City dropped into the third tier for the first time in their history. The debate will now rage among both clubs’ fans over which is the greater achievement and Royle said: “A treble is a treble. “They’re both equally matched when compared to their rivals in their era and both City and United fans will rightfully claim that their side’s treble was the best.” Under Royle, City ended their one season in the old Second Division, now League One, in thrilling fashion by beating Gillingham on penalties in the play-off final at Wembley. Gillingham had led 2-0 in the final minute of normal time before last-gasp goals from City pair Kevin Horlock and Paul Dickov took the tie to extra-time and then penalties, with Royle’s side winning the shoot-out 3-1. “It was an unforgettable way to win promotion,” Royle said. “And when you consider how far City have come since then, there’s no secret. “The current ownership, with their financial support, have changed City from a side that did sink to the third tier. “We got back into the Premier League, but we certainly didn’t have the funding that the side does today in order for us to stay there and we went straight back down again. “But it’s been mostly on the up since then. It can never be too quick for a club to get in the Premier League. “The current side, look where they’ve gone now. They’ve completed the treble and deservedly so. You can never get there too quickly.” Certainly anyone who finishes ahead of them next season, in England or Europe, is going to be doing very well Former City manager Joe Royle Guardiola’s City have been crowned English champions in five of the last six seasons, but, after finally securing the Champions League Royle, is not sure if they will now dominate Europe in a similar manner. “Football is a season-by-season game isn’t it?” he added. “Certainly anyone who finishes ahead of them next season, in England or Europe, is going to be doing very well. “The money has been spent very well. They’ve generally bought very well. It’s one thing having money and another thing using it wisely and City have been very good at that.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Brentford turn Kevin Schade loan move into permanent club-record deal Jon Lewis says England are ready for ‘great challenge’ of regaining Ashes Ivan Toney calls FA ‘bit spiteful’ over ban case after missing ‘dream’ World Cup

Brentford have completed the permanent signing of German forward Kevin Schade for a club-record fee believed to be around £20million. Schade, 21, initially joined the Bees on loan from Freiburg in January and has now signed a five-year contract. Brentford director of football Phil Giles told the club’s official website: “When Kevin joined us on loan in January, we agreed with Freiburg that the move would become permanent this summer if certain conditions were met, which included Brentford remaining a Premier League team for next season. “We have all been pleased with Kevin’s contribution so far, both on the pitch and his professionalism off it, so to have him with us now until 2028 is fantastic for the club. “We all hope both Kevin and Brentford can make further progress from here and look forward to the challenge.” Schade made 19 appearances for the Bees over the second half of last season. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live