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Former Palestine national team player Suleiman al-Obeid, known as the "Palestinian Pele", has been killed by Israeli gunfire in the Gaza Strip, the sport's local governing body said. Obeid, 41, was killed on Wednesday when Israeli forces "targeted people waiting for humanitarian aid in the southern Gaza Strip", the Palestinian Football Association (PFA) said in a statement. With Gaza in the throes of a hunger crisis, the UN rights office said last month that Israeli forces had killed more than 1,300 Palestinians trying to get food aid in the territory since late May.&nbsp;“An ex-star of the Khadamat Al-Shati club in Gaza, Obeid played 24 international matches for team Palestine,” the PFA said. "During his long career, Al-Obeid scored more than 100 goals, making him one of the brightest stars of Palestinian football," it added.&nbsp;The midfielder also played for the Al-Amari Youth Center Club in the West Bank, which Israel has occupied since 1967.&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/messi-invitation-cost-kerala-govt-inr-13-lakh-officials-travelled-to-spain-using-public-money-report-1754640113601">Messi invitation cost Kerala govt INR 13 lakh; officials travelled to Spain using public money – Report</a>&nbsp;While living there in 2010, Obeid was among six players on the national team from Gaza who were turned back at the Jordanian border for "security reasons" on their way to a friendly in Mauritania.&nbsp;An Israeli security official said at the time that the players had failed to renew special permits allowing them to play in the West Bank.&nbsp;"When I heard that we would be forbidden from travelling, I was very upset, because any athlete dreams of wearing his national jersey in international forums," Obeid told AFP in 2010.&nbsp;"We want to be able to travel freely with our families, just like athletes anywhere else in the world."&nbsp;Israel had previously allowed the six players to travel with the team.&nbsp;Born in Gaza City, Obeid was married and had five children. Since the start of the Gaza war, triggered by Palestinian militant group Hamas's October 2023 attack on Israel, 662 people from the sport and scouting sector have been killed, including 321 in the football community, according to the PFA.Israel's offensive has killed at least 61,258 in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run territory's health ministry.&nbsp;The 2023 attack on Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, according to an AFP tally based on official figures.&nbsp;Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for the WION audience.

While living there in 2010, Obeid was among six players on the national team from Gaza who were turned back at the Jordanian border for "security reasons" on their way to a friendly in Mauritania.

Former Palestine national team player Suleiman al-Obeid, known as the "Palestinian Pele", has been killed by Israeli gunfire in the Gaza Strip, the sport's local governing body said. Obeid, 41, was killed on Wednesday when Israeli forces "targeted people waiting for humanitarian aid in the southern Gaza Strip", the Palestinian Football Association (PFA) said in a statement. With Gaza in the throes of a hunger crisis, the UN rights office said last month that Israeli forces had killed more than 1,300 Palestinians trying to get food aid in the territory since late May. “An ex-star of the Khadamat Al-Shati club in Gaza, Obeid played 24 international matches for team Palestine,” the PFA said. "During his long career, Al-Obeid scored more than 100 goals, making him one of the brightest stars of Palestinian football," it added. The midfielder also played for the Al-Amari Youth Center Club in the West Bank, which Israel has occupied since 1967. Also read | Messi invitation cost Kerala govt INR 13 lakh; officials travelled to Spain using public money – Report While living there in 2010, Obeid was among six players on the national team from Gaza who were turned back at the Jordanian border for "security reasons" on their way to a friendly in Mauritania. An Israeli security official said at the time that the players had failed to renew special permits allowing them to play in the West Bank. "When I heard that we would be forbidden from travelling, I was very upset, because any athlete dreams of wearing his national jersey in international forums," Obeid told AFP in 2010. "We want to be able to travel freely with our families, just like athletes anywhere else in the world." Israel had previously allowed the six players to travel with the team. Born in Gaza City, Obeid was married and had five children. Since the start of the Gaza war, triggered by Palestinian militant group Hamas's October 2023 attack on Israel, 662 people from the sport and scouting sector have been killed, including 321 in the football community, according to the PFA. Israel's offensive has killed at least 61,258 in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run territory's health ministry. The 2023 attack on Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, according to an AFP tally based on official figures. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for the WION audience.

While living there in 2010, Obeid was among six players on the national team from Gaza who were turned back at the Jordanian border for "security reasons" on their way to a friendly in Mauritania.

‘Palestinian Pele’ Suleiman al-Obeid killed by Israeli gunfire in Gaza strip

The Kerala government has reportedly spent INR 13 lakh on their travel to Spain to invite Argentina and former Barcelona great Lionel Messi to come and play in India later this year. Contrary to earlier reports that Kerala Sports Minister (V. Abdurahiman) admitted to not spending a single penny to invite the global football star to visit the country, the officials have spent public money on the same, only for Messi to cancel his program due to logistical issues. In the latest development, not just the Sports Minister, but two other officials, including the Sports Department Secretary and Director of Sports and Youth Affairs, also accompanied him to Spain in September last year.&nbsp;A Times of India (TOI) report states that V. Abdurahiman, who earlier, due to political motivation, considering Kerala is a massive Argentina and Messi fan base, claimed remarks of the state government not spending a single rupee on Messi’s invitation, was part of the entourage that flew to Spain to invite him to come to India.<h3>Messi off to cricket ground</h3>A global football hero, Messi, will visit India in December, later this year, but through different organisers, travelling to Kolkata, Mumbai and Delhi during this brief visit. Although several reports of the Cricket Association of Bengal having finalised Messi’s visit to the iconic cricket stadium in Eden Gardens did the rounds on social media, a Telegraph report suggested that they haven’t received any official word from Messi’s camp on his potential visit to the venue.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/uncertainty-lingers-over-isl-s-future-as-aiff-proposes-super-cup-from-september-1754583471808">Uncertainty lingers over ISL's future as AIFF proposes Super Cup from September</a> &nbsp;“It’s a surprise to me that Messi will be coming to the Eden when we have received no official communication yet on the matter. I’m really surprised as to how this news (Messi at the Eden) is going around,” CAB president Snehasish Ganguly said, per the UK-based outlet. &nbsp;“We first need to take permission from the Army and then discuss it with our apex body. But as of now, we haven’t received any official communication,” another CAB official said, also quoted by The Telegraph.&nbsp; &nbsp;Meanwhile, on his upcoming visit to India, Messi is said to be playing cricket with Indian cricket stalwarts – ODI captain Rohit Sharma and batting giant Virat Kohli at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.&nbsp; &nbsp;The Inter Miami star, however, is currently plying his trade in the Major League Soccer (MLS).&nbsp;

Lionel Messi might play some cricket with batting stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli at the Wankhede Stadium during his Mumbai visit later this year. 

The Kerala government has reportedly spent INR 13 lakh on their travel to Spain to invite Argentina and former Barcelona great Lionel Messi to come and play in India later this year. Contrary to earlier reports that Kerala Sports Minister (V. Abdurahiman) admitted to not spending a single penny to invite the global football star to visit the country, the officials have spent public money on the same, only for Messi to cancel his program due to logistical issues. In the latest development, not just the Sports Minister, but two other officials, including the Sports Department Secretary and Director of Sports and Youth Affairs, also accompanied him to Spain in September last year. A Times of India (TOI) report states that V. Abdurahiman, who earlier, due to political motivation, considering Kerala is a massive Argentina and Messi fan base, claimed remarks of the state government not spending a single rupee on Messi’s invitation, was part of the entourage that flew to Spain to invite him to come to India. Messi off to cricket ground A global football hero, Messi, will visit India in December, later this year, but through different organisers, travelling to Kolkata, Mumbai and Delhi during this brief visit. Although several reports of the Cricket Association of Bengal having finalised Messi’s visit to the iconic cricket stadium in Eden Gardens did the rounds on social media, a Telegraph report suggested that they haven’t received any official word from Messi’s camp on his potential visit to the venue. Also read | Uncertainty lingers over ISL's future as AIFF proposes Super Cup from September “It’s a surprise to me that Messi will be coming to the Eden when we have received no official communication yet on the matter. I’m really surprised as to how this news (Messi at the Eden) is going around,” CAB president Snehasish Ganguly said, per the UK-based outlet. “We first need to take permission from the Army and then discuss it with our apex body. But as of now, we haven’t received any official communication,” another CAB official said, also quoted by The Telegraph. Meanwhile, on his upcoming visit to India, Messi is said to be playing cricket with Indian cricket stalwarts – ODI captain Rohit Sharma and batting giant Virat Kohli at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The Inter Miami star, however, is currently plying his trade in the Major League Soccer (MLS).

Lionel Messi might play some cricket with batting stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli at the Wankhede Stadium during his Mumbai visit later this year.&nbsp;

Messi invitation cost Kerala govt INR 13 lakh; officials travelled to Spain using public money – Report

Animal welfare groups have accused Morocco of culling stray dogs as it prepares to host football's 2030 World Cup, but the kingdom denies the accusations, vowing to protect the canines. Advocates have charged that Morocco was indiscriminately ridding its streets of strays ahead of the global sporting event it will jointly host with Portugal and Spain. Authorities in the North African country, however, insist they had endorsed a non-lethal method known as TNVR -- to trap, neuter, vaccinate, and then release the dogs -- aimed at reducing public health risks while controlling the stray population. And a bill aimed at protecting street animals was adopted earlier this month, still pending parliament review.&nbsp;It would set fines of up to $1,500 or jail terms of up to three months for harming stray dogs, according to a copy of the bill seen by AFP.&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/i-am-here-to-win-tottenham-hotspur-son-heung-min-joins-mls-side-los-angeles-fc-1754537001662">‘I am here to win,’ Spurs Son Heung-Min joins MLS side Los Angeles FC</a>&nbsp;Yet the culling accusations persist as online videos show dogs being shot or poisoned with strychnine, a toxic alkaloid which is sometimes used as a pesticide.&nbsp;In the videos from across the country, some of the dogs appear to already have marks on their ears indicating they had been sterilised and vaccinated.&nbsp;Mohammed, a resident of Tangiers in Morocco's north who refused to give his last name for fear of retribution, said he witnessed a dog he had often seen in the neighbourhood where he works get poisoned and killed.&nbsp;"I heard her cry before I saw her die," he recalled. That dog, too, had its ear tagged, he said.<h3>‘Bad image’</h3>&nbsp;An online petition launched by the International Animal Coalition to end the "violent killing of dogs on the streets and beaches of Morocco" has gathered nearly 75,000 signatures.&nbsp;In June, an activist interrupted a FIFA Club World Cup match, invading the pitch with a sign that read: "Morocco: stop shooting dogs and cats".&nbsp;France's Brigitte Bardot Foundation, created by the movie star in 1986 to promote animal protection, has called on FIFA to block Morocco from hosting the 2030 tournament.&nbsp;Moroccan Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit has decried "media attacks" against the government with "wrong and out-of-context information".&nbsp;Advocates say Morocco has around three million stray dogs, but no official figures exist.&nbsp;Each year, there are about 100,000 stray dog bites nationwide, according to official data. In 2024, authorities said 33 people died from rabies, which is often transmitted by unvaccinated animals.&nbsp;"Local officials still see dogs on the streets as presenting a bad image," said Salima Kadaoui, 52, who launched the Hayat project, using the TNVR method to help control the stray dog population in Tangiers and aiming at eradicating rabies.&nbsp;Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for the WION audience.&nbsp;

Authorities in the North African country, however, insist they had endorsed a non-lethal method known as TNVR -- to trap, neuter, vaccinate, and then release the dogs -- aimed at reducing public health risks while controlling the stray population.

Animal welfare groups have accused Morocco of culling stray dogs as it prepares to host football's 2030 World Cup, but the kingdom denies the accusations, vowing to protect the canines. Advocates have charged that Morocco was indiscriminately ridding its streets of strays ahead of the global sporting event it will jointly host with Portugal and Spain. Authorities in the North African country, however, insist they had endorsed a non-lethal method known as TNVR -- to trap, neuter, vaccinate, and then release the dogs -- aimed at reducing public health risks while controlling the stray population. And a bill aimed at protecting street animals was adopted earlier this month, still pending parliament review. It would set fines of up to $1,500 or jail terms of up to three months for harming stray dogs, according to a copy of the bill seen by AFP. Also read | ‘I am here to win,’ Spurs Son Heung-Min joins MLS side Los Angeles FC Yet the culling accusations persist as online videos show dogs being shot or poisoned with strychnine, a toxic alkaloid which is sometimes used as a pesticide. In the videos from across the country, some of the dogs appear to already have marks on their ears indicating they had been sterilised and vaccinated. Mohammed, a resident of Tangiers in Morocco's north who refused to give his last name for fear of retribution, said he witnessed a dog he had often seen in the neighbourhood where he works get poisoned and killed. "I heard her cry before I saw her die," he recalled. That dog, too, had its ear tagged, he said. ‘Bad image’ An online petition launched by the International Animal Coalition to end the "violent killing of dogs on the streets and beaches of Morocco" has gathered nearly 75,000 signatures. In June, an activist interrupted a FIFA Club World Cup match, invading the pitch with a sign that read: "Morocco: stop shooting dogs and cats". France's Brigitte Bardot Foundation, created by the movie star in 1986 to promote animal protection, has called on FIFA to block Morocco from hosting the 2030 tournament. Moroccan Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit has decried "media attacks" against the government with "wrong and out-of-context information". Advocates say Morocco has around three million stray dogs, but no official figures exist. Each year, there are about 100,000 stray dog bites nationwide, according to official data. In 2024, authorities said 33 people died from rabies, which is often transmitted by unvaccinated animals. "Local officials still see dogs on the streets as presenting a bad image," said Salima Kadaoui, 52, who launched the Hayat project, using the TNVR method to help control the stray dog population in Tangiers and aiming at eradicating rabies. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for the WION audience.

Authorities in the North African country, however, insist they had endorsed a non-lethal method known as TNVR -- to trap, neuter, vaccinate, and then release the dogs -- aimed at reducing public health risks while controlling the stray population.

2030 FIFA World Cup host Morocco under pressure to save stray dogs

South Korea star Son Heung-min said he was "here to win" on Wednesday as Major League Soccer's Los Angeles FC welcomed the arrival of the "global icon" from Tottenham. The 33-year-old will reportedly cost an MLS record $26 million transfer fee, according to ESPN and The Athletic, after a decade in the Premier League where he became a household name.&nbsp;"I'm here to win, and I will perform," he said at an introductory press conference at BMO Stadium that was packed with US and South Korean media, fans and luminaries, including Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.&nbsp;He was already itching to get to work with his new teammates, after watching them beat Mexican club Tigres UANL 2-1 in a Leagues Cup match on Tuesday night amid rabid support from fans energised by rumours of his signing.&nbsp;"It was just, like, insane," he said. "I just wanted to run onto the pitch and show my performance."&nbsp;An emotional Son announced on Saturday in his homeland that he would be leaving Spurs, just months after ending the club's 17-year trophy drought by lifting the Europa League as captain. He leaves as Tottenham's fifth-highest goalscorer of all time with 173 goals in 454 appearances.&nbsp;"Sonny is a global icon and one of the most dynamic and accomplished players in world football,” said LAFC co-president and general manager John Thorrington. “We are proud that he has chosen Los Angeles for the next chapter of his extraordinary career.”&nbsp;Son said it was Thorrington who sold him on LAFC.&nbsp;"If I'm honest, it was not my first choice," he said. "But first call, when I talked to John after the season finished, he just changed my mind. He changed my heart. He changed my brain. He showed me the destination where I should be."&nbsp;Son said that in departing Tottenham after a decade in which he "gave it all", he felt like he needed "a new chapter... a new challenge".&nbsp;Thorrington declined to discuss the reported terms of the deal, which would surpass the $22 million Atlanta United FC spent in February to acquire the rights to forward Emmanuel Latte Lath. But he said he'd had his eye on Son for years, believing his mix of charisma and humility are “what we aspire to be.”&nbsp;&nbsp;In addition to Son's prowess on the pitch, LAFC can also expect him to be a massive draw among Los Angeles's large community of Koreans and Korean-Americans.&nbsp;His imminent arrival drew crowds on Tuesday to Los Angeles International Airport with fans waving South Korean flags and messages of support.&nbsp;"He means a lot to me, just what he's been able to achieve," said Justin Huh, a 26-year-old Korean-American software developer who lives in LA's bustling Koreatown. "Now that someone who is Korean like me is here, and he's going to have a cultural impact, I just want to be part of that wave," added Huh, who has already bought match tickets to watch Son.&nbsp;Huh thinks Son can have the same kind of impact that the Dodgers' Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani has had in baseball.&nbsp;Josh Lee, co-president of the Tigers Supporters Group based in Koreatown, said Son is a player for all fans to cherish.&nbsp;"Son's arrival here is not only big for Korean people," Lee said. "Koreatown is for everyone, so Son is for everyone. "He's one of the important players in the world," said Lee, adding that the group's social media following was increasing and membership was rising already.&nbsp;Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for the WION audience.&nbsp;

The 33-year-old will reportedly cost an MLS record $26 million transfer fee, according to ESPN and The Athletic, after a decade in the Premier League where he became a household name.

South Korea star Son Heung-min said he was "here to win" on Wednesday as Major League Soccer's Los Angeles FC welcomed the arrival of the "global icon" from Tottenham. The 33-year-old will reportedly cost an MLS record $26 million transfer fee, according to ESPN and The Athletic, after a decade in the Premier League where he became a household name. "I'm here to win, and I will perform," he said at an introductory press conference at BMO Stadium that was packed with US and South Korean media, fans and luminaries, including Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. He was already itching to get to work with his new teammates, after watching them beat Mexican club Tigres UANL 2-1 in a Leagues Cup match on Tuesday night amid rabid support from fans energised by rumours of his signing. "It was just, like, insane," he said. "I just wanted to run onto the pitch and show my performance." An emotional Son announced on Saturday in his homeland that he would be leaving Spurs, just months after ending the club's 17-year trophy drought by lifting the Europa League as captain. He leaves as Tottenham's fifth-highest goalscorer of all time with 173 goals in 454 appearances. "Sonny is a global icon and one of the most dynamic and accomplished players in world football,” said LAFC co-president and general manager John Thorrington. “We are proud that he has chosen Los Angeles for the next chapter of his extraordinary career.” Son said it was Thorrington who sold him on LAFC. "If I'm honest, it was not my first choice," he said. "But first call, when I talked to John after the season finished, he just changed my mind. He changed my heart. He changed my brain. He showed me the destination where I should be." Son said that in departing Tottenham after a decade in which he "gave it all", he felt like he needed "a new chapter... a new challenge". Thorrington declined to discuss the reported terms of the deal, which would surpass the $22 million Atlanta United FC spent in February to acquire the rights to forward Emmanuel Latte Lath. But he said he'd had his eye on Son for years, believing his mix of charisma and humility are “what we aspire to be.” In addition to Son's prowess on the pitch, LAFC can also expect him to be a massive draw among Los Angeles's large community of Koreans and Korean-Americans. His imminent arrival drew crowds on Tuesday to Los Angeles International Airport with fans waving South Korean flags and messages of support. "He means a lot to me, just what he's been able to achieve," said Justin Huh, a 26-year-old Korean-American software developer who lives in LA's bustling Koreatown. "Now that someone who is Korean like me is here, and he's going to have a cultural impact, I just want to be part of that wave," added Huh, who has already bought match tickets to watch Son. Huh thinks Son can have the same kind of impact that the Dodgers' Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani has had in baseball. Josh Lee, co-president of the Tigers Supporters Group based in Koreatown, said Son is a player for all fans to cherish. "Son's arrival here is not only big for Korean people," Lee said. "Koreatown is for everyone, so Son is for everyone. "He's one of the important players in the world," said Lee, adding that the group's social media following was increasing and membership was rising already. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for the WION audience.

The 33-year-old will reportedly cost an MLS record $26 million transfer fee, according to ESPN and The Athletic, after a decade in the Premier League where he became a household name.

‘I am here to win,’ Spurs Son Heung-Min joins MLS side Los Angeles FC

Lionel Messi will miss Inter Miami's crucial Leagues Cup match against Pumas UNAM due to a muscle issue, coach Javier Mascherano said Tuesday. The Argentinian striker suffered what Mascherano called a "minor muscle injury" in his upper right leg in Miami's win over Necaxa last Saturday.&nbsp;While there is no timetable for Messi's return, Mascherano was hopeful the star would soon be back on the field.&nbsp;"Within the bad news, it's good news," Mascherano told reporters.&nbsp;"He usually recovers very well from injuries and above all, normally does with speed, so we will see. But clearly for tomorrow he is unavailable. But then we will see how he feels, how he progresses."&nbsp;ALSO READ |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-rohit-sharma-to-virat-kohli-here-is-a-look-at-five-indian-batters-with-most-runs-in-asia-cup-odis-t20is-sachin-tendulkar-ms-dhoni-dhawan-1754123070628"> From Rohit Sharma to Virat Kohli, 5 Indian batters with most runs in Asia Cup (ODIs + T20Is)</a>&nbsp;Messi, who has a league-best 18 goals in MLS matches this season, led Miami to the Leagues Cup crown in 2023 shortly after his arrival to the Herons.&nbsp;Inter Miami likely need a victory over Pumas in their group stage finale to reach the quarter-finals of the Leagues Cup, which features MLS and Mexican league squads.&nbsp;Should Miami reach the knockout stages, Messi would have two weeks to recover before the quarter-finals.&nbsp;Miami's next MLS match is set for Sunday against Orlando.&nbsp;Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Lionel Messi will miss Inter Miami's crucial Leagues Cup match against Pumas UNAM due to a muscle issue, coach Javier Mascherano said Tuesday. The Argentinian striker suffered what Mascherano called a "minor muscle injury" in his upper right leg in Miami's win over Necaxa last Saturday.

Lionel Messi will miss Inter Miami's crucial Leagues Cup match against Pumas UNAM due to a muscle issue, coach Javier Mascherano said Tuesday. The Argentinian striker suffered what Mascherano called a "minor muscle injury" in his upper right leg in Miami's win over Necaxa last Saturday. While there is no timetable for Messi's return, Mascherano was hopeful the star would soon be back on the field. "Within the bad news, it's good news," Mascherano told reporters. "He usually recovers very well from injuries and above all, normally does with speed, so we will see. But clearly for tomorrow he is unavailable. But then we will see how he feels, how he progresses." ALSO READ | From Rohit Sharma to Virat Kohli, 5 Indian batters with most runs in Asia Cup (ODIs + T20Is) Messi, who has a league-best 18 goals in MLS matches this season, led Miami to the Leagues Cup crown in 2023 shortly after his arrival to the Herons. Inter Miami likely need a victory over Pumas in their group stage finale to reach the quarter-finals of the Leagues Cup, which features MLS and Mexican league squads. Should Miami reach the knockout stages, Messi would have two weeks to recover before the quarter-finals. Miami's next MLS match is set for Sunday against Orlando. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Lionel Messi will miss Inter Miami's crucial Leagues Cup match against Pumas UNAM due to a muscle issue, coach Javier Mascherano said Tuesday. The Argentinian striker suffered what Mascherano called a "minor muscle injury" in his upper right leg in Miami's win over Necaxa last Saturday.

Lionel Messi to miss Inter Miami's Leagues Cup match against Pumas

As the future of Indian cricket looks bright after a thrilling win for Shubman Gill and Co. in The Oval Test, that is not the case for Indian football. Late on Monday evening (August 4), the top-tier Indian football club Bengaluru FC officially suspended the salaries of its players and first-team staff amid uncertainty over the Indian Super League (ISL). With the new football season already underway with the Durand Cup, the future of India’s top-tier football league – ISL is in limbo as All India Football Federation (AIFF) and FSDL are yet to agree on new terms of the deal.&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/IdldNghJh3">pic.twitter.com/IdldNghJh3</a>&mdash; Bengaluru FC (@bengalurufc) <a href="https://twitter.com/bengalurufc/status/1952421614781403357?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 4, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Bengaluru FC suspends player, coach salaries</h2>"In view of the uncertainty surrounding the future of the Indian Super League season, Bengaluru Football Club has taken what is a very difficult decision of indefinitely suspending the salaries of players and staff belonging to the First Team. Running and sustaining a football club in India has always been an uphill climb, one that we have put everything aside and made, season after season," BFC said in a statement.&nbsp;"However, the lack of clarity on the League's future leaves us with no choice but to take this step. The future and well-being of our players, staff, and their families is of utmost importance to us, and we are in touch with them as we wait for a resolution," it added.&nbsp;As revealed earlier, the FSDL’s contract with AIFF for ISL came to an end last season with no new contract agreed between the parties. As part of the agreement, FSDL pays AIFF Rs 50 crore ($5.82mn) annually to oversee properties like the national team and the Indian Super League.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-rohit-sharma-to-virat-kohli-here-is-a-look-at-five-indian-batters-with-most-runs-in-asia-cup-odis-t20is-sachin-tendulkar-ms-dhoni-dhawan-1754123070628">From Rohit Sharma to Virat Kohli, 5 Indian batters with most runs in Asia Cup (ODIs + T20Is)</a>&nbsp;To find a way out, FSDL has reportedly suggested a new structure: a holding company to run the ISL. Under this model, the clubs would hold a 60% stake, FSDL would retain 26%, and the remaining 14% would go to AIFF.&nbsp;If the issue is not resolved, the future of Indian football will be in limbo as India also struggle to secure qualification for the 2027 Asian Cup.&nbsp;To resolve the issue, a high-stakes meeting has been called by the AIFF, as they will likely discuss the future of Indian football with FSDL.

Late on Monday evening (August 4), the top-tier Indian football club Bengaluru FC officially suspended the salaries of its players and first-team staff amid uncertainty over the Indian Super League (ISL).

As the future of Indian cricket looks bright after a thrilling win for Shubman Gill and Co. in The Oval Test, that is not the case for Indian football. Late on Monday evening (August 4), the top-tier Indian football club Bengaluru FC officially suspended the salaries of its players and first-team staff amid uncertainty over the Indian Super League (ISL). With the new football season already underway with the Durand Cup, the future of India’s top-tier football league – ISL is in limbo as All India Football Federation (AIFF) and FSDL are yet to agree on new terms of the deal.

Late on Monday evening (August 4), the top-tier Indian football club Bengaluru FC officially suspended the salaries of its players and first-team staff amid uncertainty over the Indian Super League (ISL).

Bengaluru FC, India's top-tier football club, officially suspends salaries of players, staff amid ISL uncertainty

Chelsea signed teenage Netherlands defender Jorrel Hato from Ajax in a deal worth a reported £37 million ($49 million) on Sunday.&nbsp;Hato, who has been capped six times, agreed a seven-year contract with the Premier League club.&nbsp;The 19-year-old is Chelsea's eighth signing since the end of last season as boss Enzo Maresca strengths his squad to cope with the duel demands of the Premier League and Champions League this term.&nbsp;"I'm very excited, I'm so happy to be here," said Hato, who can operate in central defence or at left-back.&nbsp;"I thought a lot about my future and wanted to take the next step in my career. Chelsea is the best place for me to do that so I'm very happy."&nbsp;Hato joined Ajax's academy from hometown club Sparta Rotterdam in 2018 and signed his first professional contract aged 16 four years later.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-rohit-sharma-to-virat-kohli-here-is-a-look-at-five-indian-batters-with-most-runs-in-asia-cup-odis-t20is-sachin-tendulkar-ms-dhoni-dhawan-1754123070628">From Rohit Sharma to Virat Kohli, 5 Indian batters with most runs in Asia Cup (ODIs + T20Is)</a>&nbsp;He scored four goals in 111 appearances for the Eredivisie giants, with his international debut coming as a substitute against Gibraltar in 2023.&nbsp;Club World Cup champions Chelsea begin their Premier League campaign at home to Crystal Palace on August 17.&nbsp;The Blues had signed Jamie Gittens, Liam Delap, Joao Pedro, Mamadou Sarr, Dario Essugo, Estevao Willian and Kendry Paez prior to landing Hato.&nbsp;Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Jorrel Hato, who has been capped six times by the Netherlands, agreed a seven-year contract with the Premier League club.

Chelsea signed teenage Netherlands defender Jorrel Hato from Ajax in a deal worth a reported £37 million ($49 million) on Sunday. Hato, who has been capped six times, agreed a seven-year contract with the Premier League club. The 19-year-old is Chelsea's eighth signing since the end of last season as boss Enzo Maresca strengths his squad to cope with the duel demands of the Premier League and Champions League this term. "I'm very excited, I'm so happy to be here," said Hato, who can operate in central defence or at left-back. "I thought a lot about my future and wanted to take the next step in my career. Chelsea is the best place for me to do that so I'm very happy." Hato joined Ajax's academy from hometown club Sparta Rotterdam in 2018 and signed his first professional contract aged 16 four years later. ALSO READ | From Rohit Sharma to Virat Kohli, 5 Indian batters with most runs in Asia Cup (ODIs + T20Is) He scored four goals in 111 appearances for the Eredivisie giants, with his international debut coming as a substitute against Gibraltar in 2023. Club World Cup champions Chelsea begin their Premier League campaign at home to Crystal Palace on August 17. The Blues had signed Jamie Gittens, Liam Delap, Joao Pedro, Mamadou Sarr, Dario Essugo, Estevao Willian and Kendry Paez prior to landing Hato. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Jorrel Hato, who has been capped six times by the Netherlands, agreed a seven-year contract with the Premier League club.

Premier League: Chelsea sign Dutch defender Jorrel Hato from Ajax

Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi will be sidelined indefinitely with what the MLS team described as a "minor muscle injury in his right leg" in a statement on Sunday.&nbsp;The 38-year-old Argentine legend suffered an upper right leg injury early in Miami's penalty-kicks home win over Mexico's Necaxa on Saturday in a Leagues Cup match.&nbsp;Messi went out in the 11th minute but walked off the field and into the locker room.&nbsp;Messi "underwent medical tests to evaluate the extent of the muscle discomfort he experienced" that forced him out of the match, Inter Miami said in its statement.&nbsp;"The results confirmed a minor muscle injury in his right leg. His medical clearance will depend on his clinical progress and response to treatment."&nbsp;That means there is no timetable for a return by the Miami talisman, who shares the MLS season lead with 18 goals and also has nine assists in 18 matches.&nbsp;Jordi Alba, who netted an equalizer for Miami in second half stoppage time to set up the penalty shootout the hosts won 5-4, said Messi's early exit was "a huge sadness for the whole team."&nbsp;Inter Miami is 12-4 with six drawn for 42 points, fifth in the Eastern Conference and eight points adrift of league pace-setter Philadelphia but with three matches in hand.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-rohit-sharma-to-virat-kohli-here-is-a-look-at-five-indian-batters-with-most-runs-in-asia-cup-odis-t20is-sachin-tendulkar-ms-dhoni-dhawan-1754123070628">From Rohit Sharma to Virat Kohli, 5 Indian batters with most runs in Asia Cup (ODIs + T20Is)</a>&nbsp;Any extended absence also would be a major blow for Miami in the Leagues Cup, which Inter won in 2023 just after Messi arrived in South Florida.&nbsp;Miami, which will host UNAM Pumas on Wednesday, ranks second on the MLS table to qualify for the Leagues Cup knockout stage with five points and would clinch a quarter-final berth with a victory.&nbsp;Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Lionel Messi suffered an upper right leg injury early in Inter Miami's penalty-kicks home win over Mexico's Necaxa on Saturday in a Leagues Cup match.

Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi will be sidelined indefinitely with what the MLS team described as a "minor muscle injury in his right leg" in a statement on Sunday. The 38-year-old Argentine legend suffered an upper right leg injury early in Miami's penalty-kicks home win over Mexico's Necaxa on Saturday in a Leagues Cup match. Messi went out in the 11th minute but walked off the field and into the locker room. Messi "underwent medical tests to evaluate the extent of the muscle discomfort he experienced" that forced him out of the match, Inter Miami said in its statement. "The results confirmed a minor muscle injury in his right leg. His medical clearance will depend on his clinical progress and response to treatment." That means there is no timetable for a return by the Miami talisman, who shares the MLS season lead with 18 goals and also has nine assists in 18 matches. Jordi Alba, who netted an equalizer for Miami in second half stoppage time to set up the penalty shootout the hosts won 5-4, said Messi's early exit was "a huge sadness for the whole team." Inter Miami is 12-4 with six drawn for 42 points, fifth in the Eastern Conference and eight points adrift of league pace-setter Philadelphia but with three matches in hand. ALSO READ | From Rohit Sharma to Virat Kohli, 5 Indian batters with most runs in Asia Cup (ODIs + T20Is) Any extended absence also would be a major blow for Miami in the Leagues Cup, which Inter won in 2023 just after Messi arrived in South Florida. Miami, which will host UNAM Pumas on Wednesday, ranks second on the MLS table to qualify for the Leagues Cup knockout stage with five points and would clinch a quarter-final berth with a victory. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Lionel Messi suffered an upper right leg injury early in Inter Miami's penalty-kicks home win over Mexico's Necaxa on Saturday in a Leagues Cup match.

Lionel Messi out indefinitely with 'minor muscle injury': Inter Miami

Departing Tottenham captain Son Heung-min was in tears and his teammates threw him in the air on an emotional evening in his native South Korea on Sunday. Spurs drew 1-1 with Newcastle in a pre-season friendly in Seoul but that was secondary to the farewell for the 33-year-old attacker.&nbsp;&nbsp;There was also the sorry sight of James Maddison being stretchered off with what manager Thomas Frank said "was most likely a bad injury" to his knee.&nbsp;&nbsp;In what could have been his final game for the north Londoners, Son played 65 minutes but did not score at Seoul World Cup Stadium, a day after announcing his decision to leave Tottenham this summer after a decade. He left the pitch to a thunderous ovation from nearly 65,000 fans, hugging his teammates and even his opponents.&nbsp;The South Korea captain was caught offside twice in the early going, as his teammates tried to create opportunities for him, but he did not really assert himself on the match otherwise.&nbsp;Son was replaced in the 65th minute by Mohammed Kudus and he walked off in tears as thousands of fans chanted his name.&nbsp;"I didn't think I was going to cry at first," Son said. "But after hearing a few words from my teammates, leaving the club I’ve spent so much time with felt really tough.&nbsp;"I felt really, really happy playing this match. Thanks to my fans, my teammates and also my opponents, I've had an unforgettable day."&nbsp;Son, who has been linked with LAFC in Major League Soccer, declined to reveal his next destination, saying: "Nothing has been finalised."&nbsp;Frank said he enjoyed the "unbelievable, beautiful scenes" Son had with players from both sides on his way off the pitch.&nbsp;Newcastle boss Eddie Howe said his players' reaction to the end of Son's night had not been planned.&nbsp;"I think it was very instinctive from the players," Howe said. "I think that speaks volumes for him as a person and him as a footballer that both teams recognise the way he's played the game."&nbsp;Brennan Johnson's right-footed strike opened the scoring for Tottenham in the fourth minute, and the Welsh forward paid homage to Son by mimicking the South Korean star's camera celebration.&nbsp;Harvey Barnes levelled in the 38th minute, beating Antonin Kinsky with a right-footed shot that went in off the post.&nbsp;Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

In what could have been his final game for the north Londoners, Son played 65 minutes but did not score at Seoul World Cup Stadium, a day after announcing his decision to leave Tottenham this summer after a decade.

Departing Tottenham captain Son Heung-min was in tears and his teammates threw him in the air on an emotional evening in his native South Korea on Sunday. Spurs drew 1-1 with Newcastle in a pre-season friendly in Seoul but that was secondary to the farewell for the 33-year-old attacker. There was also the sorry sight of James Maddison being stretchered off with what manager Thomas Frank said "was most likely a bad injury" to his knee. In what could have been his final game for the north Londoners, Son played 65 minutes but did not score at Seoul World Cup Stadium, a day after announcing his decision to leave Tottenham this summer after a decade. He left the pitch to a thunderous ovation from nearly 65,000 fans, hugging his teammates and even his opponents. The South Korea captain was caught offside twice in the early going, as his teammates tried to create opportunities for him, but he did not really assert himself on the match otherwise. Son was replaced in the 65th minute by Mohammed Kudus and he walked off in tears as thousands of fans chanted his name. "I didn't think I was going to cry at first," Son said. "But after hearing a few words from my teammates, leaving the club I’ve spent so much time with felt really tough. "I felt really, really happy playing this match. Thanks to my fans, my teammates and also my opponents, I've had an unforgettable day." Son, who has been linked with LAFC in Major League Soccer, declined to reveal his next destination, saying: "Nothing has been finalised." Frank said he enjoyed the "unbelievable, beautiful scenes" Son had with players from both sides on his way off the pitch. Newcastle boss Eddie Howe said his players' reaction to the end of Son's night had not been planned. "I think it was very instinctive from the players," Howe said. "I think that speaks volumes for him as a person and him as a footballer that both teams recognise the way he's played the game." Brennan Johnson's right-footed strike opened the scoring for Tottenham in the fourth minute, and the Welsh forward paid homage to Son by mimicking the South Korean star's camera celebration. Harvey Barnes levelled in the 38th minute, beating Antonin Kinsky with a right-footed shot that went in off the post. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

In what could have been his final game for the north Londoners, Son played 65 minutes but did not score at Seoul World Cup Stadium, a day after announcing his decision to leave Tottenham this summer after a decade.

Departing Spurs captain Son Heung-min in tears after emotional evening in Seoul

Lionel Messi suffered an injury and was removed in the 11th minute of Inter Miami's Leagues Cup penalty kicks victory over Mexico's Necaxa on Saturday at Fort Lauderdale's Chase Stadium.&nbsp;The 38-year-old Argentine superstar forward appeared to be having treatment on his upper right leg or groin before making his exit under his own power and walking to the locker room.&nbsp;But after a 5-4 triumph in penalties after a 2-2 draw, Miami coach Javier Mascherano said it would be Sunday before exact details of the injury and the severity of the setback would be known.&nbsp;"Well, he felt a discomfort, and we will not be able to know until tomorrow how severe the injury is," Mascherano said after the match.&nbsp;"There's probably something there. Maybe not as important, because he was really not in pain. But he did feel a pull."&nbsp;Messi took the ball and dribbled into the Necaxa back line, but he stumbled at the top of the box and ran into Necaxa defender Alexis Pena then tumbled to the ground, pounding the pitch in frustration as the ball was cleared away.&nbsp;Moments later, Herons captain Messi was alone near midfield on the left wing by himself when he went to the ground in a seated position, lying on his back briefly until trainers arrived.&nbsp;Mascherano elected to send in Federico Redondo to replace Messi.&nbsp;Inter Miami won 5-4 on penalties after the 10-man teams played to a 2-2 draw after full time.&nbsp;Argentine striker Tomas Badaloni was denied on the decisive penalty kick in the third round of the shootout while Rodrigo De Paul, Ben Cremaschi, Jordi Alba, Redondo and Luis Suarez hit penalties for Miami, Uruguayan striker Suarez getting the decider on the last kick.&nbsp;Inter Miami Venezuelan midfielder Telasco Segovia scored in the 12th minute, but Herons defender Maximiliano Falcon of Uruguay was shown a red card in the 17th minute.&nbsp;Badaloni netted the equalizer for Necaxa in the 33rd minute to lift the visitors level at half-time, and Necaxa was cut to 10 men as well when Cristian Calderon received a red card in the 60th minute.&nbsp;Ricardo Monreal, who came off the Necaxa bench in the 74th minute, scored in the 81st to put the Mexican side ahead only for Spain's Alba to net the equalizer for Miami in the second minute of stoppage time.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-rohit-sharma-to-virat-kohli-here-is-a-look-at-five-indian-batters-with-most-runs-in-asia-cup-odis-t20is-sachin-tendulkar-ms-dhoni-dhawan-1754123070628">From Rohit Sharma to Virat Kohli, 5 Indian batters with most runs in Asia Cup (ODIs + T20Is)</a>&nbsp;During Argentine World Cup qualifiers in March, Messi was nagged by thigh strain issues.Messi has scored 18 goals and assisted on nine others in 18 MLS appearances this season.&nbsp;He assisted on both Inter Miami goals in a 2-1 victory over Atlas on Wednesday in their opener in the Leagues Cup, a tournament involving MLS and Mexican League squads.Miami conclude group stage play in the event on Wednesday against Pumas.&nbsp;Messi led Inter Miami to the inaugural Leagues Cup crown in 2023 just after his arrival with the MLS club. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Lionel Messi appeared to be having treatment on his upper right leg or groin before making his exit under his own power and walking to the locker room.

Lionel Messi suffered an injury and was removed in the 11th minute of Inter Miami's Leagues Cup penalty kicks victory over Mexico's Necaxa on Saturday at Fort Lauderdale's Chase Stadium. The 38-year-old Argentine superstar forward appeared to be having treatment on his upper right leg or groin before making his exit under his own power and walking to the locker room. But after a 5-4 triumph in penalties after a 2-2 draw, Miami coach Javier Mascherano said it would be Sunday before exact details of the injury and the severity of the setback would be known. "Well, he felt a discomfort, and we will not be able to know until tomorrow how severe the injury is," Mascherano said after the match. "There's probably something there. Maybe not as important, because he was really not in pain. But he did feel a pull." Messi took the ball and dribbled into the Necaxa back line, but he stumbled at the top of the box and ran into Necaxa defender Alexis Pena then tumbled to the ground, pounding the pitch in frustration as the ball was cleared away. Moments later, Herons captain Messi was alone near midfield on the left wing by himself when he went to the ground in a seated position, lying on his back briefly until trainers arrived. Mascherano elected to send in Federico Redondo to replace Messi. Inter Miami won 5-4 on penalties after the 10-man teams played to a 2-2 draw after full time. Argentine striker Tomas Badaloni was denied on the decisive penalty kick in the third round of the shootout while Rodrigo De Paul, Ben Cremaschi, Jordi Alba, Redondo and Luis Suarez hit penalties for Miami, Uruguayan striker Suarez getting the decider on the last kick. Inter Miami Venezuelan midfielder Telasco Segovia scored in the 12th minute, but Herons defender Maximiliano Falcon of Uruguay was shown a red card in the 17th minute. Badaloni netted the equalizer for Necaxa in the 33rd minute to lift the visitors level at half-time, and Necaxa was cut to 10 men as well when Cristian Calderon received a red card in the 60th minute. Ricardo Monreal, who came off the Necaxa bench in the 74th minute, scored in the 81st to put the Mexican side ahead only for Spain's Alba to net the equalizer for Miami in the second minute of stoppage time. ALSO READ | From Rohit Sharma to Virat Kohli, 5 Indian batters with most runs in Asia Cup (ODIs + T20Is) During Argentine World Cup qualifiers in March, Messi was nagged by thigh strain issues. Messi has scored 18 goals and assisted on nine others in 18 MLS appearances this season. He assisted on both Inter Miami goals in a 2-1 victory over Atlas on Wednesday in their opener in the Leagues Cup, a tournament involving MLS and Mexican League squads. Miami conclude group stage play in the event on Wednesday against Pumas. Messi led Inter Miami to the inaugural Leagues Cup crown in 2023 just after his arrival with the MLS club. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Lionel Messi appeared to be having treatment on his upper right leg or groin before making his exit under his own power and walking to the locker room.

Lionel Messi exits early with injury in Inter Miami's Leagues Cup win

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is quietly progressing from a futuristic concept to a daily necessity. Whether it’s recommending your next playlist or writing emails, AI has become an essential part of everyday life. In recent years, there has been plenty of debate about how AI might replace certain jobs. But in an interesting twist coming from the sports world, particularly football, we are now seeing AI step into a very different role of player contract management. &nbsp; In a first-of-its-kind move, Cambridge United FC has decided to use AI to draft and review contracts for players, employees and commercial agreements. The club believes this will help them save valuable time and money, especially with several signings planned before the September 1 transfer deadline. They have partnered with Cambridge-based company Genie AI to make the process faster, more efficient and less expensive. &nbsp; While AI has previously been used in football for performance analysis, Cambridge United says this is the first time it’s being used specifically for managing contracts from start to finish. &nbsp; "There's a growing conversation about AI in Cambridge, in football and across the legal world. Partnering with a homegrown innovator like Genie AI keeps us at the forefront. If we can keep the same legal quality while saving serious time and money, that's exactly the kind of smart decision that lets us reinvest in players, facilities and our matchday experience community." Club chief executive Alex Tunbridge was quoted as saying to the BBC. &nbsp; The AI technology will be introduced this month and is expected to significantly cut down on legal expenditure. It, in turn, could allow the club to send more resources into player recruitment and improving the fan experience. &nbsp; Rafie Faruq, co‑founder and CEO of Genie AI, shared his excitement: "Growing up in Cambridge, it's an absolute pleasure to help the club sign their players in line with regulations through the use of AI."

In a first-of-its-kind move, Cambridge United FC has decided to use AI to draft and review contracts for players, employees and commercial agreements.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is quietly progressing from a futuristic concept to a daily necessity. Whether it’s recommending your next playlist or writing emails, AI has become an essential part of everyday life. In recent years, there has been plenty of debate about how AI might replace certain jobs. But in an interesting twist coming from the sports world, particularly football, we are now seeing AI step into a very different role of player contract management. In a first-of-its-kind move, Cambridge United FC has decided to use AI to draft and review contracts for players, employees and commercial agreements. The club believes this will help them save valuable time and money, especially with several signings planned before the September 1 transfer deadline. They have partnered with Cambridge-based company Genie AI to make the process faster, more efficient and less expensive. While AI has previously been used in football for performance analysis, Cambridge United says this is the first time it’s being used specifically for managing contracts from start to finish. "There's a growing conversation about AI in Cambridge, in football and across the legal world. Partnering with a homegrown innovator like Genie AI keeps us at the forefront. If we can keep the same legal quality while saving serious time and money, that's exactly the kind of smart decision that lets us reinvest in players, facilities and our matchday experience community." Club chief executive Alex Tunbridge was quoted as saying to the BBC. The AI technology will be introduced this month and is expected to significantly cut down on legal expenditure. It, in turn, could allow the club to send more resources into player recruitment and improving the fan experience. Rafie Faruq, co‑founder and CEO of Genie AI, shared his excitement: "Growing up in Cambridge, it's an absolute pleasure to help the club sign their players in line with regulations through the use of AI."

In a first-of-its-kind move, Cambridge United FC has decided to use AI to draft and review contracts for players, employees and commercial agreements.

AI in sports: Cambridge United partners with Genie AI for player signings

French prosecutors on Friday called for Paris Saint-Germain star Achraf Hakimi to face trial for the alleged rape of a woman in 2023 which the Moroccan international denies. The Nanterre prosecutor's office told AFP that they had requested that the investigating judge refer the rape charge to a criminal court.&nbsp;"It is now up to the investigating magistrate to make a decision within the framework of his order," the prosecutor's office told AFP in a statement.&nbsp;Hakimi, 26, played a major role in PSG's run to their first Champions League title, the full-back scoring the opener in the 5-0 rout of Inter Milan in the final in May.&nbsp;Hakimi, who helped Morocco to their historic progress to the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup, was charged in March, 2023 with raping a 24-year-old woman.&nbsp;Hakimi allegedly paid for his accuser to travel to his home on February 25, 2023, in the Paris suburb of Boulogne-Billancourt while his wife and children were away on holiday.The woman went to a police station following the encounter alleging rape and was questioned by police.&nbsp;Although the woman refused to make a formal accusation, prosecutors decided to press charges against the player.&nbsp;She told police at the time that she had met Hakimi in January 2023 on Instagram.&nbsp;On the night in question she said she had travelled to his house in a taxi paid for by Hakimi. She told police Hakimi had started kissing her and making non-consensual sexual advances, before raping her, a police source told AFP at the time.&nbsp;She said she managed to break free to text a friend who came to pick her up.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-eng-5th-test-here-s-why-england-players-wore-special-headbands-details-inside-1754054176104">IND vs ENG, 5th Test: Here's why England players wore special headbands. Details inside</a><h2>Attempted extortion</h2>Contacted by AFP after Friday's development Hakimi's lawyer Fanny Colin described the call by prosecutors for a trial as "incomprehensible and senseless in light of the case's elements".&nbsp;"We, along with Achraf Hakimi, remain as calm as we were at the start of the proceedings."If these requisitions were to be followed, we would obviously pursue all avenues of appeal," she continued.&nbsp;According to Colin, her client had "been the target of an attempted extortion".&nbsp;"Nothing in this case suggests an attempted extortion," Rachel-Flore Pardo, the lawyer representing the woman, said.&nbsp;"My client welcomes this news with immense relief," she told AFP.&nbsp;"We will not tolerate any smear or destabilisation campaign, as is unfortunately still too often the case for women who have the courage to report the rape of which they are victims," she added.&nbsp;The son of a cleaning lady and a street vendor, both Moroccans who have lived in Spain since the 1980s, Hakimi was born in Getafe, a southern suburb of Madrid.&nbsp;Hakimi came through the youth system at Real Madrid before joining Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund in 2018.&nbsp;He went on to make 73 appearances for the German club.&nbsp;He moved to Inter Milan in 2020 and then on to PSG in 2021 where he has established himself as an integral part of the team.&nbsp;In Qatar, Hakimi was a cornerstone of the Morocco team that became the first African or Arab nation to reach the semi-finals of a World Cup.&nbsp;Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Achraf Hakimi, 26, played a major role in PSG's run to their first Champions League title, the full-back scoring the opener in the 5-0 rout of Inter Milan in the final in May.

French prosecutors on Friday called for Paris Saint-Germain star Achraf Hakimi to face trial for the alleged rape of a woman in 2023 which the Moroccan international denies. The Nanterre prosecutor's office told AFP that they had requested that the investigating judge refer the rape charge to a criminal court. "It is now up to the investigating magistrate to make a decision within the framework of his order," the prosecutor's office told AFP in a statement. Hakimi, 26, played a major role in PSG's run to their first Champions League title, the full-back scoring the opener in the 5-0 rout of Inter Milan in the final in May. Hakimi, who helped Morocco to their historic progress to the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup, was charged in March, 2023 with raping a 24-year-old woman. Hakimi allegedly paid for his accuser to travel to his home on February 25, 2023, in the Paris suburb of Boulogne-Billancourt while his wife and children were away on holiday. The woman went to a police station following the encounter alleging rape and was questioned by police. Although the woman refused to make a formal accusation, prosecutors decided to press charges against the player. She told police at the time that she had met Hakimi in January 2023 on Instagram. On the night in question she said she had travelled to his house in a taxi paid for by Hakimi. She told police Hakimi had started kissing her and making non-consensual sexual advances, before raping her, a police source told AFP at the time. She said she managed to break free to text a friend who came to pick her up. ALSO READ | IND vs ENG, 5th Test: Here's why England players wore special headbands. Details inside Attempted extortion Contacted by AFP after Friday's development Hakimi's lawyer Fanny Colin described the call by prosecutors for a trial as "incomprehensible and senseless in light of the case's elements". "We, along with Achraf Hakimi, remain as calm as we were at the start of the proceedings. "If these requisitions were to be followed, we would obviously pursue all avenues of appeal," she continued. According to Colin, her client had "been the target of an attempted extortion". "Nothing in this case suggests an attempted extortion," Rachel-Flore Pardo, the lawyer representing the woman, said. "My client welcomes this news with immense relief," she told AFP. "We will not tolerate any smear or destabilisation campaign, as is unfortunately still too often the case for women who have the courage to report the rape of which they are victims," she added. The son of a cleaning lady and a street vendor, both Moroccans who have lived in Spain since the 1980s, Hakimi was born in Getafe, a southern suburb of Madrid. Hakimi came through the youth system at Real Madrid before joining Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund in 2018. He went on to make 73 appearances for the German club. He moved to Inter Milan in 2020 and then on to PSG in 2021 where he has established himself as an integral part of the team. In Qatar, Hakimi was a cornerstone of the Morocco team that became the first African or Arab nation to reach the semi-finals of a World Cup. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Achraf Hakimi, 26, played a major role in PSG's run to their first Champions League title, the full-back scoring the opener in the 5-0 rout of Inter Milan in the final in May.

French prosecutors call for PSG's Achraf Hakimi to face rape trial

Tottenham Hotspur’s Europa League-winning captain Son Heung-min announced his departure from the club on Saturday (Aug 2) after 10 years in North London. Son, who joined Spurs in 2015, enjoyed a glorious spell over a decade, helping the club end a 17-year trophy drought in May as they lifted the Europa League title, beating Manchester United 1-0 in the final in Bilbao. Interestingly, Son chose his native South Korea to announce his departure from the North London side, where he landed for the pre-season tour.&nbsp;<h2>Son announces Spurs departure</h2>"I just want to share information that I have decided to leave this club this summer," Son said. "Respectfully, the club is helping me with this decision,” Son said while addressing a press conference in Incheon.&nbsp;&nbsp;"It was the most difficult decision I have made in my career. The main reason is I have achieved everything I can at Tottenham. I need a new environment for a fresh challenge.""I spoke with only a few guys, ones I've spent a long time with. They're disappointed but in a respectful way. Obviously I'm very close to Ben and we've spoken a few times about the future. Obviously they respect my decision. It's very hard to tell my team-mates because I probably spend more time with them than my family because we're together five or six hours every day. They were disappointed but also happy for me," said Son.&nbsp;With Spurs on a South Korea tour, Son’s final match for the club will take place in his home country in what will be a fitting send-off for the forward. Over the decade, Son scored 173 goals in 454 appearances, while also winning the 2021-22 Premier League Golden Boot. He remains the only Asian player to score more than 100 Premier League goals, underlining his status as a legend.&nbsp;&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-eng-5th-test-here-s-why-england-players-wore-special-headbands-details-inside-1754054176104">IND vs ENG, 5th Test: Here's why England players wore special headbands. Details inside</a>&nbsp;While he may not have won many trophies with Spurs, he was part of Tottenham’s recent golden generation as the club achieved impressive feats. During Son’s spell, Spurs finished runners-up in the Premier League, Champions League, League Cup (twice) and were semi-finalists in the FA Cup twice.&nbsp;Son has made 454 appearances for Spurs and scored 173 goals. He won the Premier League Golden Boot in the 2021-22 season.

Son Heung-min, who joined Spurs in 2015, enjoyed a glorious spell over a decade, helping the club end a 17-year trophy drought in May as they lifted the Europa League title, beating Manchester United 1-0 in the final in Bilbao. 

Tottenham Hotspur’s Europa League-winning captain Son Heung-min announced his departure from the club on Saturday (Aug 2) after 10 years in North London. Son, who joined Spurs in 2015, enjoyed a glorious spell over a decade, helping the club end a 17-year trophy drought in May as they lifted the Europa League title, beating Manchester United 1-0 in the final in Bilbao. Interestingly, Son chose his native South Korea to announce his departure from the North London side, where he landed for the pre-season tour. Son announces Spurs departure "I just want to share information that I have decided to leave this club this summer," Son said. "Respectfully, the club is helping me with this decision,” Son said while addressing a press conference in Incheon. "It was the most difficult decision I have made in my career. The main reason is I have achieved everything I can at Tottenham. I need a new environment for a fresh challenge." "I spoke with only a few guys, ones I've spent a long time with. They're disappointed but in a respectful way. Obviously I'm very close to Ben and we've spoken a few times about the future. Obviously they respect my decision. It's very hard to tell my team-mates because I probably spend more time with them than my family because we're together five or six hours every day. They were disappointed but also happy for me," said Son. With Spurs on a South Korea tour, Son’s final match for the club will take place in his home country in what will be a fitting send-off for the forward. Over the decade, Son scored 173 goals in 454 appearances, while also winning the 2021-22 Premier League Golden Boot. He remains the only Asian player to score more than 100 Premier League goals, underlining his status as a legend. ALSO READ | IND vs ENG, 5th Test: Here's why England players wore special headbands. Details inside While he may not have won many trophies with Spurs, he was part of Tottenham’s recent golden generation as the club achieved impressive feats. During Son’s spell, Spurs finished runners-up in the Premier League, Champions League, League Cup (twice) and were semi-finalists in the FA Cup twice. Son has made 454 appearances for Spurs and scored 173 goals. He won the Premier League Golden Boot in the 2021-22 season.

Son Heung-min, who joined Spurs in 2015, enjoyed a glorious spell over a decade, helping the club end a 17-year trophy drought in May as they lifted the Europa League title, beating Manchester United 1-0 in the final in Bilbao.&nbsp;

Tottenham's Europa League captain Son Heung-min announces club departure, drops curtains on illustrious spell

Football fans in India are buzzing with excitement as Argentine and Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi might swap his football studs for cricket spikes in a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence. The legendary Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai is set to witness a unique blend of cricket and football. Latest reports have suggested that a leading event agency has requested the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) to reserve the venue for December 14, 2025, when Messi is expected to arrive in the city during his promotional tour of India.&nbsp;“Messi will be at Wankhede Stadium on December 14. He is likely to play a cricket match, too, with former and current cricketers. The organisers will come up with a complete schedule once everything is finalised,” an MCA source was quoted as saying by the Indian Express.&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-eng-2025-football-and-cricket-unite-in-manchester-details-inside-1753022039141">IND vs ENG 2025: Football and cricket unite in Manchester. Details inside</a>&nbsp;The event’s logistics are still being finalised, but the idea of Messi watching MS Dhoni’s helicopter shot, Rohit Sharma's pull shot, and Virat Kohli’s cover drive feels like pure magic. If it goes ahead, this will mark Messi’s second trip to India, since his friendly match against Venezuela at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium in 2011. His brief visit is expected to run between December 13 and 15, with possible stops in New Delhi and Kolkata.<h3>Messi’s legendary career</h3>The Argentine legend has eight Ballon d’Ors, six European Golden Shoes to his name and has been named the world’s best player by FIFA eight times. With 45 team trophies, he is one of the most decorated players in football history. His notorious records include 91 goals in a single calendar year and 672 goals for Barcelona. He also lifted the 2022 FIFA World Cup with Argentina and is expected to feature in the next edition of the tournament.<h3>Wankhede’s football-cricket crossover moment</h3>This won’t be the first time the Wankhede sees football mixed with cricket.&nbsp;&nbsp;During the 2023 ODI World Cup semi-final between India and New Zealand, UNICEF ambassador David Beckham was spotted alongside Sachin Tendulkar, interacting with players from both teams.

The legendary Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai is set to witness a unique blend of cricket and football. As per a report, a leading event agency has requested the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) to reserve the venue for  December 14, 2025, when Messi is expected to arrive in Mumbai.

Football fans in India are buzzing with excitement as Argentine and Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi might swap his football studs for cricket spikes in a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence. The legendary Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai is set to witness a unique blend of cricket and football. Latest reports have suggested that a leading event agency has requested the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) to reserve the venue for December 14, 2025, when Messi is expected to arrive in the city during his promotional tour of India. “Messi will be at Wankhede Stadium on December 14. He is likely to play a cricket match, too, with former and current cricketers. The organisers will come up with a complete schedule once everything is finalised,” an MCA source was quoted as saying by the Indian Express. Also read | IND vs ENG 2025: Football and cricket unite in Manchester. Details inside The event’s logistics are still being finalised, but the idea of Messi watching MS Dhoni’s helicopter shot, Rohit Sharma's pull shot, and Virat Kohli’s cover drive feels like pure magic. If it goes ahead, this will mark Messi’s second trip to India, since his friendly match against Venezuela at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium in 2011. His brief visit is expected to run between December 13 and 15, with possible stops in New Delhi and Kolkata. Messi’s legendary career The Argentine legend has eight Ballon d’Ors, six European Golden Shoes to his name and has been named the world’s best player by FIFA eight times. With 45 team trophies, he is one of the most decorated players in football history. His notorious records include 91 goals in a single calendar year and 672 goals for Barcelona. He also lifted the 2022 FIFA World Cup with Argentina and is expected to feature in the next edition of the tournament. Wankhede’s football-cricket crossover moment This won’t be the first time the Wankhede sees football mixed with cricket. During the 2023 ODI World Cup semi-final between India and New Zealand, UNICEF ambassador David Beckham was spotted alongside Sachin Tendulkar, interacting with players from both teams.

The legendary Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai is set to witness a unique blend of cricket and football.

Lionel Messi set for cricket twist with Virat Kohli and others at Wankhede Stadium. Details inside

The Indian men’s football team has a new head coach in Khalid Jamil. The former East Bengal and Mohun Bagan manager, famous among the football managerial faculty in the subcontinent, has been entrusted with rebuilding the side following the exit of ex-coach Manolo Marquez. Jamil, who oversees head coach duties at Jamshedpur FC in the Indian Super League (ISL), will take over the Indian team; however, the governing body (AIFF) has not mentioned when he will start in his new position.&nbsp;His appointment, however, sees him become the first Indian to coach the national football team in 13 years, with Savio Medeira being the last (Indian) in charge of the side from October 2011 till March 2012.&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/india-s-first-ever-tech-driven-girls-football-academy-launched-in-collaboration-with-aiff-1753974573266">India's first-ever tech-driven girls' football academy launched in collaboration with AIFF</a> &nbsp;"The AIFF Executive Committee, in the presence of the Technical Committee, has approved the appointment of Khalid Jamil as the new head coach of the Senior India Men's National Team," the AIFF said in a statement.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The AIFF Executive Committee, in the presence of the Technical Committee, has approved the appointment of Khalid Jamil as the new head coach of the Senior India Men&#39;s National Team.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IndianFootball?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IndianFootball</a> ⚽️ <a href="https://t.co/R1FQ61pyr4">pic.twitter.com/R1FQ61pyr4</a>&mdash; Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/IndianFootball/status/1951176408408981578?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 1, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Meanwhile, with several high-profile names fighting for this one spot, Jamil received the nod ahead of former India head coach Stephen Constantine for this very role. Late last month, a PTI report claimed that given AIFF’s financial constraints, they were likely to pick an Indian (Jamil in this case) for the head coach position.&nbsp; &nbsp;Jamil, however, could begin his tenure as early as this month, with India due to play in the FIFA international match window in September in their AFC Asian Cup qualifying round games on October 9 and 14, against Singapore.<h3>Who is Khalid Jamil?</h3>Jamil has been a former Indian midfielder and now an AFC Pro Licensed coach; he has also been named the AIFF Coach of the Year on two occasions (2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons).&nbsp; &nbsp;Born on April 21, 1977, in Kuwait City to Indian parents, Khalid played club football (in India) for several teams, including Mahindra United, Air India, and Mumbai FC, even representing the national team from 1998 to 2006. However, injuries forced him into early retirement, but he swiftly transitioned into coaching.&nbsp; &nbsp;Following his stint with Mumbai FC, which put him in the spotlight, Khalid guided Aizawl FC to a historic I-League title in 2016-17, making them the first team from Northeast India to win the national league. It also helped him earn the Syed Abdul Rahim Best Coach Award. &nbsp;Years later, in 2021, Jamil became the first Indian coach of an ISL side, NorthEast United FC, breaking a long-standing barrier in Indian football. As things stand, he is Jamshedpur FC’s head coach, having led the team to a Super Cup semi-final appearance.&nbsp; &nbsp;Moreover, the new Indian head coach, Jamil, is known for his defensive discipline, tactical flexibility, and development of young talent. He is also considered a leading contender for the Indian national team coaching role.

Jamil's appointment, however, sees him become the first Indian to coach the national football team in 13 years, with Savio Medeira being the last (Indian) in charge of the side from October 2011 till March 2012.

The Indian men’s football team has a new head coach in Khalid Jamil. The former East Bengal and Mohun Bagan manager, famous among the football managerial faculty in the subcontinent, has been entrusted with rebuilding the side following the exit of ex-coach Manolo Marquez. Jamil, who oversees head coach duties at Jamshedpur FC in the Indian Super League (ISL), will take over the Indian team; however, the governing body (AIFF) has not mentioned when he will start in his new position. His appointment, however, sees him become the first Indian to coach the national football team in 13 years, with Savio Medeira being the last (Indian) in charge of the side from October 2011 till March 2012. Also read | India's first-ever tech-driven girls' football academy launched in collaboration with AIFF "The AIFF Executive Committee, in the presence of the Technical Committee, has approved the appointment of Khalid Jamil as the new head coach of the Senior India Men's National Team," the AIFF said in a statement.

Jamil's appointment, however, sees him become the first Indian to coach the national football team in 13 years, with Savio Medeira being the last (Indian) in charge of the side from October 2011 till March 2012.

Khalid Jamil joins Indian men’s football team as new head coach. Who is he?

Manchester United made it two wins out of two with a 4-1 victory over Bournemouth in the Premier League Summer Series pre-season tournament in Chicago on Wednesday (Jul 30). Goals from Rasmus Hojlund, Patrick Dorgu, Amad Diallo and teenager Ethan Williams sealed an encouraging result for Ruben Amorim's side at a rainy, windswept Soldier Field. United, who had opened their tour with a 2-1 victory over West Ham on Saturday, were always in control against the Cherries, taking the lead after just eight minutes through Hojlund.&nbsp;Dorgu curled in an inviting cross from the left flank, and Denmark international team-mate Hojlund timed his run and jump to perfection to glance a header past Bournemouth goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic.&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/football-luke-shaw-throws-weight-behind-manchester-united-manager-ruben-amorim-s-hard-line-approach-says-need-to-improve-toxic-unhealthy-culture-1753870020498">Luke Shaw throws weight behind Amorim's hard-line approach, says ‘need to improve toxic, unhealthy culture’</a>&nbsp;Dorgu then doubled United's lead in the 25th minute, latching on to a clever, lofted quick free-kick from Mason Mount, muscling his way into the area and sliding a cool finish beneath the advancing Petrovic.&nbsp;Diallo bundled in United's third in the 53rd minute before Amorim made nine changes with 20 minutes to go. Substitute Williams needed just two minutes to make an impact, curling a low finish into the bottom corner to put United 4-0 up. The only blemish on United's performance came with an 88th-minute own goal from Matthijs de Ligt.&nbsp;In Wednesday's other Premier League friendly in Chicago, West Ham came from behind to beat former manager David Moyes's Everton 2-1.&nbsp;Idrissa Gueye put Everton 1-0 up after 17 minutes before West Ham recovered to equalise through Brazilian international Lucas Paqueta just before half-time. Germany international Niclas Fullkrug's 64th-minute strike sealed the Hammers' win.&nbsp;The result was another disappointing pre-season setback for Everton, who were soundly beaten 3-0 by Bournemouth on Saturday.&nbsp;"I'm not overly concerned because I don't have the players which I need and what I want," Everton boss Moyes said afterwards. “We knew before we came (to the US) we were going to be really up against it. So, it was never going to be us coming here and winning.”&nbsp;"At the moment, we're not ready to perform well enough in this tournament, and we're not ready to start the Premier League season."&nbsp;The four-team competition concludes in Atlanta on Sunday, with United facing Everton and West Ham taking on Bournemouth.&nbsp;Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits for grammar and punctuation. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for the WION audience.

Manchester United, which finished 15th on the Premier League points table last season, has won two back-to-back matches in their pre-season tournament. 

Manchester United made it two wins out of two with a 4-1 victory over Bournemouth in the Premier League Summer Series pre-season tournament in Chicago on Wednesday (Jul 30). Goals from Rasmus Hojlund, Patrick Dorgu, Amad Diallo and teenager Ethan Williams sealed an encouraging result for Ruben Amorim's side at a rainy, windswept Soldier Field. United, who had opened their tour with a 2-1 victory over West Ham on Saturday, were always in control against the Cherries, taking the lead after just eight minutes through Hojlund. Dorgu curled in an inviting cross from the left flank, and Denmark international team-mate Hojlund timed his run and jump to perfection to glance a header past Bournemouth goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic. Also read | Luke Shaw throws weight behind Amorim's hard-line approach, says ‘need to improve toxic, unhealthy culture’ Dorgu then doubled United's lead in the 25th minute, latching on to a clever, lofted quick free-kick from Mason Mount, muscling his way into the area and sliding a cool finish beneath the advancing Petrovic. Diallo bundled in United's third in the 53rd minute before Amorim made nine changes with 20 minutes to go. Substitute Williams needed just two minutes to make an impact, curling a low finish into the bottom corner to put United 4-0 up. The only blemish on United's performance came with an 88th-minute own goal from Matthijs de Ligt. In Wednesday's other Premier League friendly in Chicago, West Ham came from behind to beat former manager David Moyes's Everton 2-1. Idrissa Gueye put Everton 1-0 up after 17 minutes before West Ham recovered to equalise through Brazilian international Lucas Paqueta just before half-time. Germany international Niclas Fullkrug's 64th-minute strike sealed the Hammers' win. The result was another disappointing pre-season setback for Everton, who were soundly beaten 3-0 by Bournemouth on Saturday. "I'm not overly concerned because I don't have the players which I need and what I want," Everton boss Moyes said afterwards. “We knew before we came (to the US) we were going to be really up against it. So, it was never going to be us coming here and winning.” "At the moment, we're not ready to perform well enough in this tournament, and we're not ready to start the Premier League season." The four-team competition concludes in Atlanta on Sunday, with United facing Everton and West Ham taking on Bournemouth. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits for grammar and punctuation. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for the WION audience.

Manchester United, which finished 15th on the Premier League points table last season, has won two back-to-back matches in their pre-season tournament.&nbsp;

Manchester United on roll in Premier League US friendly with win over Bournemouth

Manchester United defender Luke Shaw has backed under-fire manager Ruben Amorim as the club continues its pre-season in the United States. Speaking after United’s latest win against West Ham, Shaw highlighted the toxic and unhealthy culture in the team’s dressing room and insisted Amorim is doing his best to change it. United had a horrible 2024-25 season where they finished 15th in the Premier League and missed out on the Europa League title after defeat against Spurs in May.<h2>Shaw backs Amorim</h2>"It's not hard to see from the outside what it's been like," said Shaw.&nbsp;"A lot of the time I've been here over the last few years, it's been extremely negative.&nbsp;"It can be quite toxic to the environment, it's not healthy at all. We need an environment that's healthy, that's positive, that's got good energy and happiness. When you have all those things, you feel free and you express yourself more.&nbsp;"Ruben brings demands. Mentality is a big thing. He talks a lot about it.&nbsp;"He demands 100% and doesn't want anything less. If someone's doing 85-90%, it's not enough. I think, especially this year, if you're not doing the right things, you won't play,” the England defender added.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/cricket-will-india-s-bad-luck-turn-good-in-oval-test-rare-1-32768-probability-predicts-team-can-lose-15th-consecutive-toss-1753856381670">Will India's bad luck turn good in Oval Test? Rare 1/32768 probability predicts team can lose 15th consecutive toss</a>&nbsp;The Red Devils endured their worst season in the Premier League era, finishing with 42 points in 38 matches. They scored 44 goals and conceded 54, meaning for the second consecutive season, United ended with a negative goal difference. The club sacked Erik ten Hag in October and loaned out players like Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford.&nbsp;The club had already made plans for the upcoming season, signing players like Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo. On the other hand, players like Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho, Tyrell Malacia and Antony are out of Amorim’s plans.&nbsp;The Red Devils will start their Premier League campaign on Sunday (Aug 17) with them facing Arsenal at Old Trafford in a high-voltage clash.

Speaking after Manchester United’s latest win against West Ham, Luke Shaw highlighted the toxic and unhealthy culture in the team’s dressing room and insisted Amorim is doing his best to change it. 

Manchester United defender Luke Shaw has backed under-fire manager Ruben Amorim as the club continues its pre-season in the United States. Speaking after United’s latest win against West Ham, Shaw highlighted the toxic and unhealthy culture in the team’s dressing room and insisted Amorim is doing his best to change it. United had a horrible 2024-25 season where they finished 15th in the Premier League and missed out on the Europa League title after defeat against Spurs in May. Shaw backs Amorim "It's not hard to see from the outside what it's been like," said Shaw. "A lot of the time I've been here over the last few years, it's been extremely negative. "It can be quite toxic to the environment, it's not healthy at all. We need an environment that's healthy, that's positive, that's got good energy and happiness. When you have all those things, you feel free and you express yourself more. "Ruben brings demands. Mentality is a big thing. He talks a lot about it. "He demands 100% and doesn't want anything less. If someone's doing 85-90%, it's not enough. I think, especially this year, if you're not doing the right things, you won't play,” the England defender added. ALSO READ | Will India's bad luck turn good in Oval Test? Rare 1/32768 probability predicts team can lose 15th consecutive toss The Red Devils endured their worst season in the Premier League era, finishing with 42 points in 38 matches. They scored 44 goals and conceded 54, meaning for the second consecutive season, United ended with a negative goal difference. The club sacked Erik ten Hag in October and loaned out players like Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford. The club had already made plans for the upcoming season, signing players like Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo. On the other hand, players like Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho, Tyrell Malacia and Antony are out of Amorim’s plans. The Red Devils will start their Premier League campaign on Sunday (Aug 17) with them facing Arsenal at Old Trafford in a high-voltage clash.

Speaking after Manchester United’s latest win against West Ham, Luke Shaw highlighted the toxic and unhealthy culture in the team’s dressing room and insisted Amorim is doing his best to change it.&nbsp;

Luke Shaw throws weight behind Amorim's hard-line approach, says 'need to improve toxic, unhealthy culture'

Liverpool forward Luis Diaz completed an $88 million switch to German powerhouse and defending Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich on Wednesday (July 30). In an announcement made by the record German champions, Diaz will be the latest addition to the already prolific forward line of the Bavarians, as they try to challenge for European glory. The witch also means Liverpool will have one vacant spot on the team roster as they continue their pursuit of Alexander Isak from Newcastle United in the transfer window.&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Say ¡𝑯𝒐𝒍𝒂! to our new number 1️⃣4️⃣ 👋 Get your hands on the new jersey of <a href="https://twitter.com/LuisFDiaz19?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LuisFDiaz19</a> 👉 <a href="https://t.co/S6BwkN0yKz">https://t.co/S6BwkN0yKz</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FCBayern?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FCBayern</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MiaSanMia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MiaSanMia</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ServusLuis?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ServusLuis</a> <a href="https://t.co/KR4tQYR4Oy">pic.twitter.com/KR4tQYR4Oy</a>&mdash; FC Bayern (@FCBayernEN) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBayernEN/status/1950472979999297767?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 30, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Diaz completes Liverpool switch</h2>Playing a major role in Liverpool’s 20th league title win in the 2024-25 season, Diaz scored 13 goals in 36 matches as the Merseyside club eased their way in England’s top flight. With Liverpool already adding Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike, the void left by Diaz and the sudden death of Diogo has already been filled by the club. For Bayern, though, it was a win-win situation as they already have the likes of Kingsley Coman, Jamal Musiala, and others in the attacking third. Diaz will wear No.14 at Bayern, a number once donned by Xabi Alonso at the club.&nbsp;&nbsp;"I arrived with all the dreams in the world, and I am leaving proud of everything we achieved together," Diaz wrote on Instagram.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-eng-5th-test-bumrah-is-fit-to-bowl-as-per-his-workload-says-india-batting-coach-sitanshu-kotak-1753810202717">IND vs ENG, 5th Test: 'Bumrah is fit to bowl as per his workload', says India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak</a>&nbsp;"I have met incredible people, fabulous colleagues, coaches who helped me a lot, and extraordinary fans. Liverpool is, indeed, a special team, and I will keep everyone in my heart.&nbsp;"It's good to be leaving with the feeling of a duty fulfilled, and, most of all, to be leaving a champion. It would have been the perfect goodbye if we hadn't lost one of ours in such a tragic way.&nbsp;"I carry everyone with me in my heart, but one of them in particular: Diogo. I will never forget him. We will never forget him. Thank you for everything."&nbsp;For Liverpool, it will be an opportunity to reinvest the money as they put weight behind the transfer of Alexander Isak from Newcastle. The Reds have already generated $174mn in transfer activity, which could see them lure Isak from Newcastle.

In an announcement made by the record German champions Bayern Munich, Luis Diaz will be the latest addition to the already prolific forward line of the Bavarians, as they try to challenge for European glory. 

Liverpool forward Luis Diaz completed an $88 million switch to German powerhouse and defending Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich on Wednesday (July 30). In an announcement made by the record German champions, Diaz will be the latest addition to the already prolific forward line of the Bavarians, as they try to challenge for European glory. The witch also means Liverpool will have one vacant spot on the team roster as they continue their pursuit of Alexander Isak from Newcastle United in the transfer window.

In an announcement made by the record German champions Bayern Munich, Luis Diaz will be the latest addition to the already prolific forward line of the Bavarians, as they try to challenge for European glory.&nbsp;

Liverpool forward Luis Diaz completes Bayern Munich switch in $88mn deal

It was a sorrowful July 2025 for Liverpool and its fans as the month started with the tragic death of star forward Diogo Jota, and the club went into a state of mourning. Still in the grief of Jota’s death, Liverpool have been in a ‘show must go on’ state as they continue to make headlines in the transfer window with the signings of Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, and now with the potential arrival of Alexander Isak. So are Liverpool the new irresistible force in European football as the defending Premier League champions are set to break the bank yet again?<h2>The irresistible force of Liverpool</h2>Already blessed with a lethal attack, Liverpool’s forward line consists of Mohamed Salah, Alexis Mac Allister, Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez (unless he leaves) and others. However, adding the attacking talent of Ekitike, Wirtz and Isak, they could have one of the best attacking lines in Europe. Isak has been Newcastle’s best player in the last three seasons, helping the club reach the Champions League on two occasions.&nbsp;&nbsp;While Luis Diaz is on his way out, Ekitike is already a proven talent in his position. The Frenchman has played a huge role in recent years for Eintracht Frankfurt to help them clinch Champions League qualification. He scored 15 goals and assisted eight further goals to help Frankfurt finish third in the Bundesliga.&nbsp;&nbsp;On the other hand, Wirtz has already proven himself in the Bundesliga, playing a pivotal role in Bayer Leverkusen clinching their maiden Bundesliga title in 2023-24. In Leverkusen’s title-winning season, he bagged 11 goals and 11 assists, while last season he amassed a tally of 10 goals and 12 assists.&nbsp;&nbsp;Isak’s numbers also make for significant reading, bagging impressive numbers with Newcastle United over the last three seasons. In the 2024-25 Premier League season, he scored 23 goals and assisted six goals as Newcastle sealed Champions League qualification for the second time in three seasons.&nbsp;&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-eng-5th-test-bumrah-is-fit-to-bowl-as-per-his-workload-says-india-batting-coach-sitanshu-kotak-1753810202717">IND vs ENG, 5th Test: 'Bumrah is fit to bowl as per his workload', says India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak</a>&nbsp;Combining the above trio with the strength of Mohamed Salah, Liverpool’s attacking third could be the best in the business.&nbsp;&nbsp;While Manchester City and Real Madrid showed flaws in the final third last season, Liverpool could only get better with every deal done. Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain can potentially challenge the threat of Liverpool, but the Reds’ dominance can’t be denied. Interestingly, they were the most in-form team in the Champions League last season until the league phase, when they notched seven wins in eight matches. Their 86 goals in the 2024-25 season was also the best tally for any team in England’s top flight.

Still in the grief of Diogo Jota’s death, Liverpool have been in a ‘show must go on’ state as they continue to make headlines in the transfer window with the signings of Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike and now with the potential arrival of Alexander Isak

It was a sorrowful July 2025 for Liverpool and its fans as the month started with the tragic death of star forward Diogo Jota, and the club went into a state of mourning. Still in the grief of Jota’s death, Liverpool have been in a ‘show must go on’ state as they continue to make headlines in the transfer window with the signings of Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, and now with the potential arrival of Alexander Isak. So are Liverpool the new irresistible force in European football as the defending Premier League champions are set to break the bank yet again? The irresistible force of Liverpool Already blessed with a lethal attack, Liverpool’s forward line consists of Mohamed Salah, Alexis Mac Allister, Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez (unless he leaves) and others. However, adding the attacking talent of Ekitike, Wirtz and Isak, they could have one of the best attacking lines in Europe. Isak has been Newcastle’s best player in the last three seasons, helping the club reach the Champions League on two occasions. While Luis Diaz is on his way out, Ekitike is already a proven talent in his position. The Frenchman has played a huge role in recent years for Eintracht Frankfurt to help them clinch Champions League qualification. He scored 15 goals and assisted eight further goals to help Frankfurt finish third in the Bundesliga. On the other hand, Wirtz has already proven himself in the Bundesliga, playing a pivotal role in Bayer Leverkusen clinching their maiden Bundesliga title in 2023-24. In Leverkusen’s title-winning season, he bagged 11 goals and 11 assists, while last season he amassed a tally of 10 goals and 12 assists. Isak’s numbers also make for significant reading, bagging impressive numbers with Newcastle United over the last three seasons. In the 2024-25 Premier League season, he scored 23 goals and assisted six goals as Newcastle sealed Champions League qualification for the second time in three seasons. ALSO READ | IND vs ENG, 5th Test: 'Bumrah is fit to bowl as per his workload', says India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak Combining the above trio with the strength of Mohamed Salah, Liverpool’s attacking third could be the best in the business. While Manchester City and Real Madrid showed flaws in the final third last season, Liverpool could only get better with every deal done. Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain can potentially challenge the threat of Liverpool, but the Reds’ dominance can’t be denied. Interestingly, they were the most in-form team in the Champions League last season until the league phase, when they notched seven wins in eight matches. Their 86 goals in the 2024-25 season was also the best tally for any team in England’s top flight.

Still in the grief of Diogo Jota’s death, Liverpool have been in a ‘show must go on’ state as they continue to make headlines in the transfer window with the signings of Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike and now with the potential arrival of Alexander Isak

Explained: Why Liverpool could be the new irresistible force in Europe as Alexander Isak nears Anfield switch

Goalkeeper James Trafford has signed a deal to return to Manchester City from Burnley, the Premier League giants announced on Tuesday.&nbsp;Man City activated a £27.5 million ($36.7 million) buy-back clause for the 22-year-old England youth international, according to British media reports.&nbsp;Trafford, who never played for the City senior team during his first spell at the Etihad Stadium, left for Burnley in 2023.&nbsp;He struggled in his first season as the Clarets were relegated from the Premier League, but equalled an English football record with 29 clean sheets last term to help Burnley earn promotion back into the top flight.&nbsp;"This is the place I call home -- it's a truly special football club with fantastic people who make it such a unique place to work and play," he said in a statement.&nbsp;"I am still very young and hungry to keep learning and improving -- and I know there is no better environment than Manchester City to help make me become the best goalkeeper I can be.&nbsp;"I will do everything I can to help this great club look to achieve even more success."City coach Pep Guardiola dropped established number one Ederson multiple times last season in favour of Stefan Ortega.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-eng-5th-test-bumrah-is-fit-to-bowl-as-per-his-workload-says-india-batting-coach-sitanshu-kotak-1753810202717">IND vs ENG, 5th Test: 'Bumrah is fit to bowl as per his workload', says India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak</a>&nbsp;Trafford, who will wear the number one shirt, will battle with Brazilian Ederson to be first choice.&nbsp;He is Man City's sixth signing of the transfer window after they finished third last season, well adrift of champions Liverpool in their bid for a fifth straight Premier League title.&nbsp;Rayan Ait-Nouri, Tijjani Reijnders, Marcus Bettinelli, Rayan Cherki and Sverre Nypan have all already moved to the club since the end of last season.&nbsp;Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Man City activated a £27.5 million ($36.7 million) buy-back clause for the 22-year-old England youth international, according to British media reports.

Goalkeeper James Trafford has signed a deal to return to Manchester City from Burnley, the Premier League giants announced on Tuesday. Man City activated a £27.5 million ($36.7 million) buy-back clause for the 22-year-old England youth international, according to British media reports. Trafford, who never played for the City senior team during his first spell at the Etihad Stadium, left for Burnley in 2023. He struggled in his first season as the Clarets were relegated from the Premier League, but equalled an English football record with 29 clean sheets last term to help Burnley earn promotion back into the top flight. "This is the place I call home -- it's a truly special football club with fantastic people who make it such a unique place to work and play," he said in a statement. "I am still very young and hungry to keep learning and improving -- and I know there is no better environment than Manchester City to help make me become the best goalkeeper I can be. "I will do everything I can to help this great club look to achieve even more success." City coach Pep Guardiola dropped established number one Ederson multiple times last season in favour of Stefan Ortega. ALSO READ | IND vs ENG, 5th Test: 'Bumrah is fit to bowl as per his workload', says India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak Trafford, who will wear the number one shirt, will battle with Brazilian Ederson to be first choice. He is Man City's sixth signing of the transfer window after they finished third last season, well adrift of champions Liverpool in their bid for a fifth straight Premier League title. Rayan Ait-Nouri, Tijjani Reijnders, Marcus Bettinelli, Rayan Cherki and Sverre Nypan have all already moved to the club since the end of last season. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Man City activated a £27.5 million ($36.7 million) buy-back clause for the 22-year-old England youth international, according to British media reports.

Goalkeeper James Trafford returns to Man City from Burnley in $37 million deal

England's Lionesses returned to a heroes' welcome on Monday, less than 24 hours after their dramatic penalty-shootout victory against world champions Spain in the Euro 2025 final.&nbsp;Chloe Kelly converted the decisive spot-kick in the Swiss city of Basel as Sarina Wiegman's team successfully defended the European women's crown they won at Wembley in 2022.&nbsp;Supporters, many of whom were dressed in England kits and holding flags, cheered as they waited outside Southend airport, about 40 miles (64 kilometres) east of London.&nbsp;In a post on X, the team shared a photo of the trophy draped in an England flag on a seat on the plane, which had "Home" painted in red letters on its side.&nbsp;The aircraft was welcomed with a water salute from two fire engines after landing. Captain Leah Williamson and manager Wiegman were the first off, with the skipper proudly holding the trophy.&nbsp;Among the waiting supporters were twins Poppy and Daisy Macdonald, 11, who were holding a sign asking for a photo with star striker Alessia Russo.&nbsp;"We're so proud. They've won it two times in a row and they've worked so hard for it," said Poppy. "They've had a lot of injuries and setbacks but they've done really well."&nbsp;The Lionesses were whisked straight to 10 Downing Street, the working home of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer which was decked out in England flags.&nbsp;"What a team. What a game. What drama. You dug deep when it mattered most and you've made the nation proud. History makers," Starmer wrote in a message to the Lionesses on X.&nbsp;The team were hosted at number 10 by Deputy Prime minister Angela Rayner and Sports Minister Stephanie Peacock while Starmer was in Scotland meeting US President Donald Trump.&nbsp;Rayner hailed the players as a "shining example of talent and excitement for women’s football".&nbsp;An open-top bus parade will follow on Tuesday, culminating in a celebration in front of Buckingham Palace.&nbsp;Victory in Switzerland was sweet revenge for Wiegman's defending champions, who suffered bitter defeat against the same opponents in the World Cup final two years ago.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ravi-ashwin-slams-england-double-standards-over-handshake-saga-in-manchester-test-1753709560665">Ravi Ashwin slams England’s ‘double standards’ over ‘handshake saga’ in Manchester Test</a><h2>Late drama</h2>Victory in Switzerland on Sunday capped a remarkable tournament packed with late drama for England.&nbsp;Wiegman's team were slow out of the blocks, losing their first match against France, before comfortable wins over the Netherlands and Wales in the group phase.&nbsp;They came back from 2-0 down against Sweden in the quarter-finals before winning on penalties, and sealed their spot in Sunday's final with a last-gasp extra-time win over Italy.&nbsp;The defending champions again fell behind against Spain on Sunday but Russo cancelled out Mariona Caldentey's first-half opener and the teams were still locked at 1-1 at the end of extra-time.&nbsp;Two penalty saves by player-of-the-match Hannah Hampton and Salma Paralluelo's miss set the stage for Kelly, who also scored the winner against Germany in the 2022 final.&nbsp;In total, the Lionesses led for fewer than five minutes across the entire Euros knockout stage.&nbsp;"I must admit that this is the most chaotic and ridiculous tournament we have played," said Wiegman.&nbsp;"The players say we can win by any means, and we just never, ever give up."&nbsp;The Dutch coach, who has now won three European Championship crowns in a row, having led the Netherlands to victory in 2017, said she hoped England's win would boost women's football across the globe.&nbsp;"How I've experienced this tournament is that the level went up again, the intensity of the games went through the roof," she said. "That's what we've seen.&nbsp;"We've seen it in the games, but also in the data we have. I think this tournament broke every record again and that's great, and I hope that that will boost the women's game everywhere."&nbsp;Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Chloe Kelly converted the decisive spot-kick in the Swiss city of Basel as Sarina Wiegman's team successfully defended the European women's crown they won at Wembley in 2022.

England's Lionesses returned to a heroes' welcome on Monday, less than 24 hours after their dramatic penalty-shootout victory against world champions Spain in the Euro 2025 final. Chloe Kelly converted the decisive spot-kick in the Swiss city of Basel as Sarina Wiegman's team successfully defended the European women's crown they won at Wembley in 2022. Supporters, many of whom were dressed in England kits and holding flags, cheered as they waited outside Southend airport, about 40 miles (64 kilometres) east of London. In a post on X, the team shared a photo of the trophy draped in an England flag on a seat on the plane, which had "Home" painted in red letters on its side. The aircraft was welcomed with a water salute from two fire engines after landing. Captain Leah Williamson and manager Wiegman were the first off, with the skipper proudly holding the trophy. Among the waiting supporters were twins Poppy and Daisy Macdonald, 11, who were holding a sign asking for a photo with star striker Alessia Russo. "We're so proud. They've won it two times in a row and they've worked so hard for it," said Poppy. "They've had a lot of injuries and setbacks but they've done really well." The Lionesses were whisked straight to 10 Downing Street, the working home of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer which was decked out in England flags. "What a team. What a game. What drama. You dug deep when it mattered most and you've made the nation proud. History makers," Starmer wrote in a message to the Lionesses on X. The team were hosted at number 10 by Deputy Prime minister Angela Rayner and Sports Minister Stephanie Peacock while Starmer was in Scotland meeting US President Donald Trump. Rayner hailed the players as a "shining example of talent and excitement for women’s football". An open-top bus parade will follow on Tuesday, culminating in a celebration in front of Buckingham Palace. Victory in Switzerland was sweet revenge for Wiegman's defending champions, who suffered bitter defeat against the same opponents in the World Cup final two years ago. ALSO READ | Ravi Ashwin slams England’s ‘double standards’ over ‘handshake saga’ in Manchester Test Late drama Victory in Switzerland on Sunday capped a remarkable tournament packed with late drama for England. Wiegman's team were slow out of the blocks, losing their first match against France, before comfortable wins over the Netherlands and Wales in the group phase. They came back from 2-0 down against Sweden in the quarter-finals before winning on penalties, and sealed their spot in Sunday's final with a last-gasp extra-time win over Italy. The defending champions again fell behind against Spain on Sunday but Russo cancelled out Mariona Caldentey's first-half opener and the teams were still locked at 1-1 at the end of extra-time. Two penalty saves by player-of-the-match Hannah Hampton and Salma Paralluelo's miss set the stage for Kelly, who also scored the winner against Germany in the 2022 final. In total, the Lionesses led for fewer than five minutes across the entire Euros knockout stage. "I must admit that this is the most chaotic and ridiculous tournament we have played," said Wiegman. "The players say we can win by any means, and we just never, ever give up." The Dutch coach, who has now won three European Championship crowns in a row, having led the Netherlands to victory in 2017, said she hoped England's win would boost women's football across the globe. "How I've experienced this tournament is that the level went up again, the intensity of the games went through the roof," she said. "That's what we've seen. "We've seen it in the games, but also in the data we have. I think this tournament broke every record again and that's great, and I hope that that will boost the women's game everywhere." Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Chloe Kelly converted the decisive spot-kick in the Swiss city of Basel as Sarina Wiegman's team successfully defended the European women's crown they won at Wembley in 2022.

England's Lionesses return to heroes' welcome after Euro 2025 glory

England and Spain are to lock horns in the final of the Women’s Euro 2025 in what will be a repeat of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup final on Sunday (July 27). With the stage set in Basel for the epic final, both teams will look to make headlines for on-field display rather than the off-field controversy which overshadowed Spain’s World Cup win in 2023. It was the famous Luis Rubiales-Jenni Hermoso kiss controversy that took the spotlight in Australia, leading to a saga that lasted for months.<h2>What was the Luis Rubiales-Jenni Hermoso kiss controversy?</h2>In August 2023, Spain beat England 1-0 in the final of the FIFA Women’s World Cup as they clinched their maiden title. After the win, the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) chief, Luis Rubiales, was seen at the presentation ceremony as part of the presentation committee. It was during that time that Rubiales kissed World Cup winner Jenni Hermoso on the lips, thus making headlines.&nbsp;She later accused Rubiales of forcefully kissing her during the presentation ceremony when Spain beat England in the final. Hermoso criticised the actions of the former Spanish chief, terming them as "vulnerable and like the victim of an assault.”&nbsp;In a ruling following a preliminary investigation, Spanish judge Francisco de Jorge of Spain's Audiencia Nacional top criminal court concluded that the kiss "was not consensual and was a unilateral and unexpected move" by Rubiales, and was later tried for sexual assault and coercion.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-eng-2025-jasprit-bumrah-unlocks-unwanted-record-in-manchester-as-england-punish-india-on-day-4-1753544472012">IND vs ENG 2025: Bumrah unlocks unwanted record in Manchester as England punish India on day 4</a>&nbsp;The kiss provoked widespread outrage and prompted his suspension by the world football governing body FIFA. Under Spanish law, a non-consensual kiss can be considered sexual assault -- a criminal category that groups all types of sexual violence.&nbsp;Now that the dust is settled, the attention is back on the field as England take on Spain to defend their crown in Basel. The match will start at 9:30 PM IST at the St. Jakob-Park with both teams bidding for continental glory.

With the stage set in Basel for the epic final, both teams will look to make headlines for on-field display rather than the off-field controversy which overshadowed Spain’s World Cup win in 2023.

England and Spain are to lock horns in the final of the Women’s Euro 2025 in what will be a repeat of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup final on Sunday (July 27). With the stage set in Basel for the epic final, both teams will look to make headlines for on-field display rather than the off-field controversy which overshadowed Spain’s World Cup win in 2023. It was the famous Luis Rubiales-Jenni Hermoso kiss controversy that took the spotlight in Australia, leading to a saga that lasted for months. What was the Luis Rubiales-Jenni Hermoso kiss controversy? In August 2023, Spain beat England 1-0 in the final of the FIFA Women’s World Cup as they clinched their maiden title. After the win, the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) chief, Luis Rubiales, was seen at the presentation ceremony as part of the presentation committee. It was during that time that Rubiales kissed World Cup winner Jenni Hermoso on the lips, thus making headlines. She later accused Rubiales of forcefully kissing her during the presentation ceremony when Spain beat England in the final. Hermoso criticised the actions of the former Spanish chief, terming them as "vulnerable and like the victim of an assault.” In a ruling following a preliminary investigation, Spanish judge Francisco de Jorge of Spain's Audiencia Nacional top criminal court concluded that the kiss "was not consensual and was a unilateral and unexpected move" by Rubiales, and was later tried for sexual assault and coercion. ALSO READ | IND vs ENG 2025: Bumrah unlocks unwanted record in Manchester as England punish India on day 4 The kiss provoked widespread outrage and prompted his suspension by the world football governing body FIFA. Under Spanish law, a non-consensual kiss can be considered sexual assault -- a criminal category that groups all types of sexual violence. Now that the dust is settled, the attention is back on the field as England take on Spain to defend their crown in Basel. The match will start at 9:30 PM IST at the St. Jakob-Park with both teams bidding for continental glory.

With the stage set in Basel for the epic final, both teams will look to make headlines for on-field display rather than the off-field controversy which overshadowed Spain’s World Cup win in 2023.

Flashback: When Luis Rubiales-Jenni Hermoso kiss controversy overshadowed Spain's FIFA World Cup glory

Arsenal on Saturday announced the signing of Swedish international striker Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon, bolstering their attacking options as they attempt to challenge for the Premier League title.&nbsp;The 27-year-old, who fired Sporting to the Portuguese title last season with 39 goals and netted a Champions League hat-trick against Manchester City, is reported to have signed a five-year deal in a transfer worth an initial £57.4 million (65.7 million euros).&nbsp;Gyokeres' transfer, which could end up costing the north London club as much as £66.4 million with performance-related add-ons, takes Arsenal's close-season spending to the region of £200m.&nbsp;"To come here to a club on Arsenal's level, I think it's going to help me perform even better with all the amazing players in this team. I'm really excited to get going," said Gyokeres.&nbsp;He becomes Mikel Arteta's sixth summer signing and follows defender Cristhian Mosquera (£13m), midfielder Martin Zubimendi (£60m), goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga (£5m), midfielder Christian Norgaard (£10m) and forward Noni Madueke (£48.5m) in moving to the Emirates.&nbsp;"I just felt that it was the right club for me," said Gyokeres.&nbsp;"When I was playing against Arsenal last season, I could really feel it was a very strong team and very difficult to play against."&nbsp;Gyokeres will be expected to meet up with his new team-mates in Arsenal's ongoing pre-season tour of Singapore and Hong Kong.&nbsp;The Gunners face Newcastle in the Singapore National Stadium on Sunday ahead of the concluding game of their tour, against Tottenham in Hong Kong on July 31.&nbsp;"I always want to score," added Gyokeres. "To be a part of this club and to score in this kit and with this badge in front of all the supporters, I can't wait. It will be an amazing feeling."&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-eng-2025-jasprit-bumrah-unlocks-unwanted-record-in-manchester-as-england-punish-india-on-day-4-1753544472012">IND vs ENG 2025: Bumrah unlocks unwanted record in Manchester as England punish India on day 4</a><h2>Return to England</h2>Gyokeres moved to Brighton from Swedish side Brommapojkarna in January 2018, but spent time on loan at St Pauli and then Swansea and Coventry, before making a permanent move to the Sky Blues in July 2021.&nbsp;After Coventry were beaten on penalties by Luton in the 2023 Championship final at Wembley, Gyokeres completed a £20.5m switch to Sporting. He scored a remarkable 97 goals in 102 matches for the Portuguese side.&nbsp;"I started here (in England), it feels like a long time ago. I think I've improved a lot since then. Now I want to prove myself for real and perform together with the team," said Gyokeres.&nbsp;Arsenal spent the concluding months of last season without a recognised striker following long-term injuries to Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz.&nbsp;Even before then, Arsenal were in desperate need of a reliable scorer, and Arteta will hope his new signing can fire him to his first silverware since he won the FA Cup in 2020, and end the club's two-decade wait for a Premier League title.&nbsp;"Viktor has so many qualities. He is a quick and powerful presence up front, with incredible goalscoring numbers at club and international levels," said Arteta.&nbsp;"We're excited about what Viktor brings to our squad and are looking forward to start working with him."&nbsp;Arsenal's new sporting director Andrea Berta has wasted little time in strengthening a squad which has finished runners-up in the league for the past three seasons.&nbsp;Gabriel and Myles Lewis-Skelly have also put pen to paper on new contracts in the off-season, with a long-term extension for teenager Ethan Nwaneri believed to be all but completed.&nbsp;Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Arsenal on Saturday announced the signing of Swedish international striker Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon, bolstering their attacking options as they attempt to challenge for the Premier League title.

Arsenal on Saturday announced the signing of Swedish international striker Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon, bolstering their attacking options as they attempt to challenge for the Premier League title. The 27-year-old, who fired Sporting to the Portuguese title last season with 39 goals and netted a Champions League hat-trick against Manchester City, is reported to have signed a five-year deal in a transfer worth an initial £57.4 million (65.7 million euros). Gyokeres' transfer, which could end up costing the north London club as much as £66.4 million with performance-related add-ons, takes Arsenal's close-season spending to the region of £200m. "To come here to a club on Arsenal's level, I think it's going to help me perform even better with all the amazing players in this team. I'm really excited to get going," said Gyokeres. He becomes Mikel Arteta's sixth summer signing and follows defender Cristhian Mosquera (£13m), midfielder Martin Zubimendi (£60m), goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga (£5m), midfielder Christian Norgaard (£10m) and forward Noni Madueke (£48.5m) in moving to the Emirates. "I just felt that it was the right club for me," said Gyokeres. "When I was playing against Arsenal last season, I could really feel it was a very strong team and very difficult to play against." Gyokeres will be expected to meet up with his new team-mates in Arsenal's ongoing pre-season tour of Singapore and Hong Kong. The Gunners face Newcastle in the Singapore National Stadium on Sunday ahead of the concluding game of their tour, against Tottenham in Hong Kong on July 31. "I always want to score," added Gyokeres. "To be a part of this club and to score in this kit and with this badge in front of all the supporters, I can't wait. It will be an amazing feeling." ALSO READ | IND vs ENG 2025: Bumrah unlocks unwanted record in Manchester as England punish India on day 4 Return to England Gyokeres moved to Brighton from Swedish side Brommapojkarna in January 2018, but spent time on loan at St Pauli and then Swansea and Coventry, before making a permanent move to the Sky Blues in July 2021. After Coventry were beaten on penalties by Luton in the 2023 Championship final at Wembley, Gyokeres completed a £20.5m switch to Sporting. He scored a remarkable 97 goals in 102 matches for the Portuguese side. "I started here (in England), it feels like a long time ago. I think I've improved a lot since then. Now I want to prove myself for real and perform together with the team," said Gyokeres. Arsenal spent the concluding months of last season without a recognised striker following long-term injuries to Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz. Even before then, Arsenal were in desperate need of a reliable scorer, and Arteta will hope his new signing can fire him to his first silverware since he won the FA Cup in 2020, and end the club's two-decade wait for a Premier League title. "Viktor has so many qualities. He is a quick and powerful presence up front, with incredible goalscoring numbers at club and international levels," said Arteta. "We're excited about what Viktor brings to our squad and are looking forward to start working with him." Arsenal's new sporting director Andrea Berta has wasted little time in strengthening a squad which has finished runners-up in the league for the past three seasons. Gabriel and Myles Lewis-Skelly have also put pen to paper on new contracts in the off-season, with a long-term extension for teenager Ethan Nwaneri believed to be all but completed. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Arsenal on Saturday announced the signing of Swedish international striker Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon, bolstering their attacking options as they attempt to challenge for the Premier League title.

Premier League: Arsenal seal swoop for Swedish international Viktor Gyokeres

An Inter Miami team missing the suspended Lionel Messi missed the chance to gain ground on Eastern Conference leaders FC Cincinnati after being held to a 0-0 draw in Major League Soccer on Saturday. Messi and team-mate Jordi Alba were both barred from playing the home game against Cincinnati after controversially withdrawing from this week's MLS All-Star Game in Texas.&nbsp;That meant Messi and Alba could only watch on from the sidelines in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday as Inter were frustrated by a well-organised Cincinnati team.&nbsp;Miami were given a huge let off in the dying seconds of stoppage time, when Cincinnati defender Miles Robinson had a goal ruled out after harshly being adjudged to have fouled Inter's Noah Allen as he leapt for a header.&nbsp;The result leaves Miami seven points adrift of Cincinnati in the Eastern Conference standings.&nbsp;Miami, meanwhile, used the pre-game festivities to formally unveil new star signing Rodrigo De Paul, Messi's World Cup-winning Argentina team-mate.&nbsp;The 31-year-old midfielder, who joins the club from Spain's Atletico Madrid, is expected to make his debut during Miami's upcoming Leagues Cup campaign.&nbsp;"What brings me to Inter Miami is the desire to compete, win titles, to write the pages in the club's history," De Paul said after his transfer was announced by the club late Friday.&nbsp;"It's a club that is shaping up to be great, to have a long history, so that many people follow this incredible team."&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-eng-2025-jasprit-bumrah-unlocks-unwanted-record-in-manchester-as-england-punish-india-on-day-4-1753544472012">IND vs ENG 2025: Bumrah unlocks unwanted record in Manchester as England punish India on day 4</a>&nbsp;Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham said De Paul's signing would bring "experience, passion and quality" to the Herons.&nbsp;"Rodrigo is a player I've admired for many years," Beckham said. "As a leader he has brought so much to the teams he has played for -- especially with his national team Argentina.&nbsp;"I'm excited to welcome another World Cup winning player not just to Inter Miami, but also to MLS."&nbsp;Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Lionel Messi and team-mate Jordi Alba were both barred from playing the home game against Cincinnati after controversially withdrawing from this week's MLS All-Star Game in Texas.

An Inter Miami team missing the suspended Lionel Messi missed the chance to gain ground on Eastern Conference leaders FC Cincinnati after being held to a 0-0 draw in Major League Soccer on Saturday. Messi and team-mate Jordi Alba were both barred from playing the home game against Cincinnati after controversially withdrawing from this week's MLS All-Star Game in Texas. That meant Messi and Alba could only watch on from the sidelines in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday as Inter were frustrated by a well-organised Cincinnati team. Miami were given a huge let off in the dying seconds of stoppage time, when Cincinnati defender Miles Robinson had a goal ruled out after harshly being adjudged to have fouled Inter's Noah Allen as he leapt for a header. The result leaves Miami seven points adrift of Cincinnati in the Eastern Conference standings. Miami, meanwhile, used the pre-game festivities to formally unveil new star signing Rodrigo De Paul, Messi's World Cup-winning Argentina team-mate. The 31-year-old midfielder, who joins the club from Spain's Atletico Madrid, is expected to make his debut during Miami's upcoming Leagues Cup campaign. "What brings me to Inter Miami is the desire to compete, win titles, to write the pages in the club's history," De Paul said after his transfer was announced by the club late Friday. "It's a club that is shaping up to be great, to have a long history, so that many people follow this incredible team." ALSO READ | IND vs ENG 2025: Bumrah unlocks unwanted record in Manchester as England punish India on day 4 Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham said De Paul's signing would bring "experience, passion and quality" to the Herons. "Rodrigo is a player I've admired for many years," Beckham said. "As a leader he has brought so much to the teams he has played for -- especially with his national team Argentina. "I'm excited to welcome another World Cup winning player not just to Inter Miami, but also to MLS." Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Lionel Messi and team-mate Jordi Alba were both barred from playing the home game against Cincinnati after controversially withdrawing from this week's MLS All-Star Game in Texas.

MLS: Lionel Messi-less Inter Miami held by Cincinnati, drop two points in Eastern Conference

Flamengo player Bruno Henrique will stand trial in Brazil for sports fraud aimed at allegedly benefiting his relatives through online betting, according to a court ruling seen by AFP on Friday (Jul 25). Henrique, 34, was charged in June for allegedly deliberately earning a yellow card during a domestic league match in 2023, in coordination with gamblers within his family circle.&nbsp;"The information indicates the existence of criminal conduct by the accused Bruno Henrique," said a judge from a Brasilia court in the decision authorizing the player's trial.&nbsp;The forward is accused of match-fixing, a crime punishable by two to six years in prison.&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/football-lionel-messi-suspended-over-mls-all-star-no-show-league-1753499250420">Lionel Messi suspended over MLS All-Star no-show: league</a>&nbsp;The case centers on a game Flamengo lost 2–1 to Santos in Brasilia in November 2023.&nbsp;Henrique received a yellow card for a foul and then a second for insulting the referee, for which he was sent off.&nbsp;Police found several compromising messages on the phone of his brother, Wander Nunes, who will also stand trial.&nbsp;According to the judge, the police investigation concluded that Henrique "intentionally acted to be penalized with the card," while his brother encouraged him "with the aim of obtaining financial gain."&nbsp;In November 2024, police carried out several search warrants, including at Henrique's home in Rio de Janeiro and his room at Flamengo's training facility.&nbsp;His brother, sister-in-law, and cousin allegedly created accounts with online betting platforms the day before the match and wagered on him receiving a yellow card.&nbsp;Despite the legal troubles, Henrique continued to play for Flamengo, appearing in the Club World Cup in the United States in June.&nbsp;More recently, he captained the team in Wednesday's win over Red Bull Bragantino in the Brazilian league.&nbsp;Henrique and his brother must appear before the judge within 10 days, according to the ruling.&nbsp;Match-fixing allegations have rocked Brazilian football, with investigations implicating major clubs in South America's most powerful league.&nbsp;The country's congress has created a special commission to investigate the issue.&nbsp;Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Henrique, 34, was charged in June for allegedly deliberately earning a yellow card during a domestic league match in 2023, in coordination with gamblers within his family circle.

Flamengo player Bruno Henrique will stand trial in Brazil for sports fraud aimed at allegedly benefiting his relatives through online betting, according to a court ruling seen by AFP on Friday (Jul 25). Henrique, 34, was charged in June for allegedly deliberately earning a yellow card during a domestic league match in 2023, in coordination with gamblers within his family circle. "The information indicates the existence of criminal conduct by the accused Bruno Henrique," said a judge from a Brasilia court in the decision authorizing the player's trial. The forward is accused of match-fixing, a crime punishable by two to six years in prison. Also read | Lionel Messi suspended over MLS All-Star no-show: league The case centers on a game Flamengo lost 2–1 to Santos in Brasilia in November 2023. Henrique received a yellow card for a foul and then a second for insulting the referee, for which he was sent off. Police found several compromising messages on the phone of his brother, Wander Nunes, who will also stand trial. According to the judge, the police investigation concluded that Henrique "intentionally acted to be penalized with the card," while his brother encouraged him "with the aim of obtaining financial gain." In November 2024, police carried out several search warrants, including at Henrique's home in Rio de Janeiro and his room at Flamengo's training facility. His brother, sister-in-law, and cousin allegedly created accounts with online betting platforms the day before the match and wagered on him receiving a yellow card. Despite the legal troubles, Henrique continued to play for Flamengo, appearing in the Club World Cup in the United States in June. More recently, he captained the team in Wednesday's win over Red Bull Bragantino in the Brazilian league. Henrique and his brother must appear before the judge within 10 days, according to the ruling. Match-fixing allegations have rocked Brazilian football, with investigations implicating major clubs in South America's most powerful league. The country's congress has created a special commission to investigate the issue. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Henrique, 34, was charged in June for allegedly deliberately earning a yellow card during a domestic league match in 2023, in coordination with gamblers within his family circle.

Flamengo's Henrique to face trial for alleged match-fixing, says Brazil court

Lionel Messi and Inter Miami team-mate Jordi Alba have been suspended after the duo skipped Major League Soccer's All-Star Game earlier this week, the league said Friday. MLS said in a statement Messi and Alba would be unavailable for Saturday's clash against FC Cincinnati "due to their absence" at this week's All-Star showpiece.&nbsp;"Per league rules, any player who does not participate in the All-Star Game without prior approval from the league is ineligible to compete in their club's next match," the league said in a brief statement.&nbsp;Messi and Alba had both been selected to play for a combined MLS side in Wednesday's game against a team drawn from Mexico's Liga-MX as part of the league's All-Star break.However, both players withdrew from the showpiece early Wednesday for reasons that were not revealed.&nbsp;The 11th-hour snub left Messi and Alba both facing sanction. Under MLS rules, players selected for the All-Star game must participate unless they have a valid reason -- such as an injury -- not to do so.&nbsp;MLS commissioner Don Garber said Friday the league had been left with no choice but to suspend players from duty this weekend, describing the ruling as a "very difficult decision".&nbsp;"I know Lionel Messi loves this league," Garber said. "I don't think there's a player -- or anyone -- who has done more for Major League Soccer than Messi. I fully understand, respect, and admire his commitment to Inter Miami, and I respect his decision.&nbsp;"Unfortunately, we have a long-standing policy regarding participation in the All-Star Game, and we had to enforce it. It was a very difficult decision."&nbsp;Garber, however, said MLS would review its existing policy in future.

"We're going to take a hard look at the policy moving forward," he said. "I'm committed to working with our players to determine how the rule should evolve."<h2>Messi 'very upset</h2>Inter Miami's billionaire co-owner Jorge Mas blasted the decision to suspend Messi and Alba in a conference call with reporters later Friday, describing Messi as "very upset" by the league's ruling. "Leo Messi is very upset. I hope it doesn't have a long-term impact," said Mas, who is currently in talks with Messi about a possible extension to his current contract, which runs out at the end of this year. "Will it have an impact on (Messi's) perception of the league and it's rules? Without a doubt," Mas added. "Lionel is different from everyone else. He wants to participate in competitive matches." Speaking on Wednesday, Garber said the league should have known earlier about the no-show, but expressed some sympathy for the gruelling schedule faced by Messi in recent weeks. The 38-year-old Argentinian superstar has played nine games in 35 days and played 90 minutes in each game, including four games in the FIFA Club World Cup. "Miami has had a schedule that is unlike any other team," Garber said. "Most of our teams had a 10-day break. Miami hasn't. So we have to manage through that as a league." Messi and Alba's participation in the game had been under a cloud after Miami coach Javier Mascherano indicated last weekend he would have preferred the duo to be excused from All-Star duties. "The players are called up. I'd prefer they rest, but it's not my decision," Mascherano said. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

MLS said in a statement Messi and Alba would be unavailable for Saturday clash against FC Cincinnati "due to their absence" at this week All-Star showpiece.

Lionel Messi and Inter Miami team-mate Jordi Alba have been suspended after the duo skipped Major League Soccer's All-Star Game earlier this week, the league said Friday. MLS said in a statement Messi and Alba would be unavailable for Saturday's clash against FC Cincinnati "due to their absence" at this week's All-Star showpiece. "Per league rules, any player who does not participate in the All-Star Game without prior approval from the league is ineligible to compete in their club's next match," the league said in a brief statement. Messi and Alba had both been selected to play for a combined MLS side in Wednesday's game against a team drawn from Mexico's Liga-MX as part of the league's All-Star break. However, both players withdrew from the showpiece early Wednesday for reasons that were not revealed. The 11th-hour snub left Messi and Alba both facing sanction. Under MLS rules, players selected for the All-Star game must participate unless they have a valid reason -- such as an injury -- not to do so. MLS commissioner Don Garber said Friday the league had been left with no choice but to suspend players from duty this weekend, describing the ruling as a "very difficult decision". "I know Lionel Messi loves this league," Garber said. "I don't think there's a player -- or anyone -- who has done more for Major League Soccer than Messi. I fully understand, respect, and admire his commitment to Inter Miami, and I respect his decision. "Unfortunately, we have a long-standing policy regarding participation in the All-Star Game, and we had to enforce it. It was a very difficult decision." Garber, however, said MLS would review its existing policy in future.

MLS said in a statement Messi and Alba would be unavailable for Saturday's clash against FC Cincinnati "due to their absence" at this week's All-Star showpiece.

Lionel Messi suspended over MLS All-Star no-show: league

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