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The Football Association (FA) says Saudi Arabia has given assurances regarding the safety of LGBTQ+ fans at the 2034 World Cup.

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• Human rights groups speak out vs Saudi World Cup
• FA voted in favour as host nation confirmed
• English body insists assurances have been given

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The FA voted in favour of awarding the 2034 World Cup to the Middle Eastern nation, which was confirmed as the host nation on Wednesday following an unopposed bid. The 2030 competition has gone to Portugal, Spain and Morocco, though some games will be played in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay.

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  Human rights organisations have spoken out in protest against the tournament going to Saudi Arabia, with fears for the safety of migrant workers as well as LGBTQ+ supporters. However, the FA has explained its reasons behind the vote following discussions with the Saudi Football Federation.

• WHAT THE FA SAID

  "After a careful review of both proposals, we supported the two World Cup bids – from Spain/Portugal/Morocco in 2030, and Saudi Arabia in 2034. Both bids are technically strong and meet the FIFA criteria to host the Men’s World Cup. Our focus is on ensuring that all our fans can attend and enjoy tournaments," a statement from the FA read.

  "The FA Board met the Saudi Arabian Football Federation last month to discuss their bid in more detail. We asked them to commit to ensuring all fans would be safe and welcome in Saudi Arabia in 2034 – including LGBTQ+ fans. They assured us that they are fully committed to providing a safe and welcome environment for all fans.

  "Football is a global game, and is for everyone. Our commitment to diversity and inclusion means being respectful of all, including all religions and cultures. We also believe that hosting World Cups can be a catalyst for positive change, which is best delivered by working collaboratively in partnership with host nations. We will work with FIFA and UEFA to ensure that commitments to respect all human rights are delivered."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR ENGLAND?

  Before the 2034 World Cup comes into focus, England will first aim to reach the 2026 edition, with their qualifying campaign under new coach Thomas Tuchel to start next year.

After getting their Premier League campaign underway with last-gasp success against Fulham, Manchester United have reportedly turned their attention towards another defensive reinforcement for Erik ten Hag.

Man Utd transfer news

It was far from convincing but the Red Devils managed to get over the line nonetheless, with Joshua Zirkzee announcing his arrival in style by scoring a late winner on his Premier League debut. Becoming an instant hero at Old Trafford, Zirkzee is one of four fresh faces to have arrived this summer, joining alongside Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui in a successful transfer window for all involved at Manchester United.

After an unconvincing opening display, however, Manchester United could yet add further reinforcements with their focus seemingly on both a midfielder, which could yet be Manuel Ugarte, and a new left-back to provide backup for the injury-prone Luke Shaw.

The likes of Ferdi Kadioglu were mentioned, but given that the Fenerbahce star is reportedly on his way to Brighton & Hove Albion, the Red Devils have set their sights on an alternative option.

Man Utd now in constant talks with all parties to sign £51m Brazil star

The Red Devils could sign an alternative to Ugarte…

By
Tom Cunningham

Aug 16, 2024

According to L'equipe, Manchester United now have Adrien Truffert in their sights alongside interest from Premier League rivals Liverpool, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Nottingham Forest.

The Stade Rennais left-back has just returned to club football after winning a silver medal at the Paris Olympics, only denied gold by an excellent Spain side.

Now, with his medal secured, Truffert could be on the move. Just 22 years old, the Frenchman has shown plenty of potential and ticks the box for what Manchester United's new-found transfer policy looks for, as highlighted by Zirkzee and Yoro in particular. With just two weeks left in the window, however, any deal will have to pick up pace fairly quickly for it to get over the line.

"Dynamic" Truffert can compete with Shaw

With those at Old Trafford will have eyes on the future if they signed Truffert this summer, the left-back would be keen to avoid becoming nothing more than a backup option and instead compete for Shaw's starting place. Of course, the more that the England international struggles on the injury front, the more that his starting spot becomes vulnerable, perhaps allowing Truffert to steal in and claim it.

The 22-year-old has earned plenty of praise during his time at Stade Rennais, including from U23 scout Antonio Mango, who described the Frenchman as "such a dynamic full-back".

A player who's equally capable going forward as in defence, as the numbers presented by Mango highlight, Truffert could be quite the coup if Manchester United manage to fend off reported interest from Liverpool to land his signature. The left-back would be their fifth signing of the summer.

Celtic have made a bid worth more than £6m to sign a new midfielder who has already said yes to a Parkhead move.

Rodgers urges Celtic to splash the cash after selling O’Riley

The Hoops are set to be in for a frantic end to the transfer window, with Matt O’Riley’s big-money move to Brighton & Hove Albion finally going through. Brendan Rodgers’ side have made a perfect start to the Scottish Premiership campaign and are looking to add to their four signings so far – Adam Idah, Paulo Bernardo, Viljami Sinisalo and Kasper Schmeichel.

Alongside Engels: Celtic can ease O'Riley blow by signing "remarkable" gem

The Hoops have been linked with an interest in the young attacker this month.

By
Dan Emery

Aug 27, 2024

With money seemingly there to spend after cashing in on O’Riley, Rodgers appeared to urge the club to splash the cash in the final days of the market.

“We can't be happy just to make our money and build our pot because the bottom line is on the pitch. That's the bottom line. The supporters, they pay the money. I look back to the Covid times here, the Celtic supporters sold the stadium out and they weren't allowed in it.

“The team is in a good place, mentally, tactically, how they're playing. But we want to strengthen and have that depth. It's taken a lot longer than I would have liked as the football manager. That's my brutally honest answer on it. But I will repeat this. If we get them in, then there's still a long season ahead. So it's important that we do get that. And I have belief that we will do.”

Now, it looks like they are willing to do just that.

Celtic make £6.5m bid for Arne Engels – Sky Sports

Celtic have been pushing to sign FC Augsburg midfielder Arne Engels and according to Sky Sports Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg, the two parties have already agreed on personal terms ahead of a move to Glasgow.

Now, according to Sky Sports reporter Anthony Joseph, a £6.5m offer has been made to Augsburg for Engels, although Plettenberg recently claimed he is valued at up to £10m.

The 20-year-old has picked up 30 caps for Belgium's youth sides across four different age groups and appears to be going from strength to strength at Augsburg, with his Transfermarkt valuation rocketing to a career-high €9m in May.

Engels would offer Rodgers and Celtic a versatile option as, despite being a central midfielder primarily, can also turn out as a right midfielder or as a right-back, and by the looks of things, he could be on his way to Scotland before the deadline.

The world football governing body will partner with the streaming giant to show the 2027 and 2031 World Cup's in the U.S.

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• Netflix, FIFA agree to show two Women's World Cups
• Will include English and Spanish broadcasts
• 2027 World Cup set for Brazil, 2031 to be determined

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  FIFA and Netflix have signed an exclusive deal to broadcast the 2027 and 2031 editions of the Women's World Cup in the United States, the world soccer's governing body announced Friday. FIFA said the Women's World Cup will be the first competition to be acquired in full by Netflix and U.S.-based fans would be able to watch every match live.

  The agreement also includes Puerto Rico while it will cover all languages, with a dual telecast in English and Spanish in the U.S. The deal will offer live coverage as well as "star-studded studio shows." Matches will be available in English and Spanish. The streaming giant will also produce a documentary series in the build up to the tournament.

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  The 2027 Women's World Cup is set to be played in Brazil between June 24 and July 25, the first time the tournament will be held in South America. The 2031 edition's hosts are yet to be decided by the FIFA Congress, but the United States is reportedly in the running in a joint bid with Mexico.

• WHAT GIANNI INFANTINO SAID

  The FIFA president hailed the deal as an important agreement for women's soccer, saying in a statement: "This is a landmark moment for sports media rights. As a marquee brand and FIFA’s new long-term partner, Netflix has shown a very strong level of commitment to growing women’s football. This agreement sends a strong message about the real value of the FIFA Women’s World Cup and the global women’s game. FIFA and Netflix partnering together makes this a truly historic day for broadcasting and for women’s football."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR FIFA?

  FIFA's attention now turns to the 2025 Club World Cup, which will be held in the United States. The FIFA Men's World Cup, in 2026, is set for the U.S. Mexico and Canada.

Cristiano Ronaldo is “back to work” for 2025, with another calendar year expected to deliver more goals and a possible move away from Al-Nassr.

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• All-time great has enjoyed winter break
• Ready for return to action in Saudi Pro League
• Counting down the days to 40th birthday

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  The five-time Ballon d’Or winner is now a matter of weeks away from celebrating his 40th birthday, with that landmark occasion set to be reached on February 5. Ronaldo is showing no sign of slowing down, with retirement considered to remain some way off.

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  CR7 has stated his desire to reach 1,000 career goals before hanging up his boots and will likely require at least another couple of seasons in which to chase down that target. It remains to be seen whether a groundbreaking stint in the Saudi Pro League will be extended.

• WHAT RONALDO SAID

  Ronaldo’s record-breaking contract at Al-Nassr is running down, with free agency beckoning in the summer of 2025. There has been talk of a move being made, with a possible return to Europe speculated on, but for now the Portuguese GOAT has sent a “back to work” message in Riyadh.

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• WHAT NEXT?

  Ronaldo has been enjoying a winter break in the Middle East, allowing him to visit Lapland and Dubai with partner Georgina Rodriguez and his children during the festive period, but a return to competitive action will be made when facing Al Akhdoud on January 9.

Chelsea fans await the end of the international break with bated breath in the hopes all of their stars return unscathed by injuries, but one of their brightest young talents appears to have shone in a slightly new role for his country.

Chelsea players on international duty

The Blues have a whole host of stars jetting off around the globe to play for their nations this week, with Enzo Maresca sure to be watching from behind the sofa ahead of a crucial run of winnable fixtures coming up for his side.

If they can go into that Liverpool trip with at least three wins under their belt from the previous four matches, the positivity will be flowing around Stamford Bridge, but the first port of call is to escape the international break with a fully fit squad.

Wesley Fofana, Cole Palmer and Omari Kellyman all withdrew from their call-ups before the two-week interval, while the likes of Levi Colwill, Pedro Neto, Marc Cucurella and Enzo Fernandez have all started for their countries so far this break.

Colwill earned his England spot after starting all three of the Blues' Premier League fixtures thus far, and was handed a unique role in Lee Carsley's England set-up against the Republic of Ireland on Saturday.

Carsley played a back four but allowed Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold to roam forward freely, effectively turning Colwill's role into that of both a centre-back and a left-back, with the Three Lions transforming into a back three in possession.

English media say Colwill could be their answer to left-back problems

Gareth Southgate's full-back decisions were the subject of much debate before his departure from the England set-up, as the former 54 year-old shoved Alexander-Arnold into midfield while struggling to find a solution to Luke Shaw's injury woes at left-back, often turning to natural right-back Kieran Trippier in the role.

Colwill, who of course has played as both an out and out centre-back and on the left for Chelsea, therefore seems a perfect fit to slot in on the left and become a back three when Liverpool's playmaker ventures central and further forward, and the national press certainly thought so against Ireland, as shared by The Chelsea Chronicle.

Whether Maresca ever opts to go for a similar style in West London remains to be seen – perhaps Reece James' return could see an identical set-up with the skipper taking up Alexander-Arnold's England role given his own attacking abilities – but one thing is for sure, the Blues were right to slap a £100m price tag on Colwill when suitors came calling this summer.

Harry Maguire has been given a driving ban after the Manchester United star was caught speeding.

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• Maguire admits to speeding in Range Rover
• Given a 56-day ban from driving
• Defender also given a fine by court

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The centre-back was fined £666, given a 56-day suspension from driving and ordered to pay £120 costs, plus a £266 surcharge by Bolton Magistrates' Court, reports. Last March, Maguire was caught on camera driving at 85mph coming out of a tunnel under the runway of Manchester Airport – 35mph over the speed limit.

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  According to Maguire was captured speeding again two days after that offence, reportedly driving his Range Rover at 68mph in a 60mph zone. He was ordered to pay £1,000 for that incident and had three points added to his licence.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Maguire recently had his contract extended by another 12 months as United triggered their option to do so. The England international has been a key figure in what has been a tumultuous season but coach Ruben Amorim has told him he must "improve as a leader".

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  WHAT NEXT FOR MAGUIRE?

  The Red Devils defender will likely be in the starting XI when his side meet Arsenal in the FA Cup on January 12.

Southampton are now thought to be on the verge of completing another late signing on deadline day, according to an encouraging update from Sky Sports.

Southampton win race for Noel Buck

Saints still just about have time to complete some last-gasp business in the summer transfer window, with New England Revolution teenager Noel Buck one reported target for them before the cutoff on Friday night. The 19-year-old would be considered one for the future for Russell Martin, but also a good squad player who can add depth straight away, in order to give his side the best possible chance of avoiding relegation from the Premier League straight back down to the Championship.

The biggest news for Southampton on deadline day has been the signing of Aaron Ramsdale from Arsenal, however, with the Englishman completing a £25m move to St Mary's Stadium. It has been made clear that he is second-choice to David Raya at the Emirates, so he is no doubt excited to be a regular starter again, while Martin will no doubt be delighted to bring in an established international player.

Saints have also been pushing to complete the signing of Maxwel Cornet from West Ham and now a significant update has emerged regarding the situation.

Southampton on the verge of signing £65k-a-week ace

According to Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth Cornet is now set to undergo a medical at Southampton, as he closes in on a loan move to St Mary's: "Maxwel Cornet is understood to be travelling to Southampton for a medical. They are pushing to sign him on a season-long loan from West Ham."

Cornet could be a brilliant temporary signing for Southampton, even though his time as a West Ham player has ultimately been a little underwhelming. Only one goal has come his way in 37 appearances for the Hammers – he has at least registered six assists, though – and he could be jumping at the opportunity to be a more important player for Saints.

Still only 27 years of age, the £65,000-a-week Ivory Coast international has scored six times for his country, while none other than Pep Guardiola once admitted that he was "very impressed" with him as a player, having come up against him for Lyon in a Champions League clash with his Manchester City side.

As mentioned, depth is so important for Southampton, especially as legs and minds tire as the season goes on, and Cornet could add so much quality in wide attacking areas, usually preferring to take up a left-sided role.

All confirmed Premier League done deals: summer transfer window 2024

Find every incoming and outgoing for each 2024/25 Premier League club here.

By
Stephan Georgiou

Sep 18, 2024

That being said, the Ivorian is also adept at playing on the right and in a central attacking berth, while he can even play at left-back too, showing the options he can provide Martin with. It feels like a no-brainer of a signing, and his loan switch could even be made permanent next summer if he shines for Saints.

Stoney is the new head coach of Canada's women's national team, seven months after leaving the San Diego Wave

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• Canada endured Olympic drone scandal last year
• Controversy led to firing of head coach Priestman
• Ex-Man Utd & San Diego Wave boss Stoney replaces her

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The role was vacant following Bev Priestman's dismissal in November, as a result of a drone scandal at the Olympic Games. One was spotted over a training session of New Zealand, Canada's first opponent of the tournament last summer, and investigations led to Priestman being suspended, the team being docked six points at the Games and, eventually, the head coach and two other members of staff, being fired for filming an opposition training session.

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  Canada have now filled the role on a permanent basis, with an impressive appointment in Stoney. After three strong years at Manchester United, the former England captain enjoyed an even more successful time in the NWSL with San Diego, leading the Wave to the playoffs in its inaugural season before winning the NWSL Shield and NWSL Challenge Cup in the following two years. That made her dismissal by the club in June quite a surprise, even though the team were enduring a rough patch of form.

• WHAT STONEY SAID

  "I am honoured to join Canada Soccer as the head coach of the women’s national team," Stoney said upon the announcement of her appointment. "Canada has a proud tradition in women’s football, and I am excited to work with such a talented group of players. Together with the federation’s new leadership, we will strive to build on past successes and continue to grow the sport in Canada on and off the field. I look forward to the journey ahead and to engaging with the incredible passion of Canadian soccer fans."

  Kevin Blue, CEO and General Secretary of Canada Soccer, added: "We are thrilled to welcome Casey Stoney as head coach of the women’s national team. Casey’s track record of successful leadership, her values and strength of character, and her lifelong dedication to the advancement of women’s football make her the right person to lead our national team into its next chapter."

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  As Canada looks to turn the page on a bad year for its women's soccer program, it will celebrate the establishment of its first professional league in April, the creation of which has been led by former national team star Diana Matheson. Speaking to INDIVISA about the launch of the Northern Super League, Matheson stressed the importance of support for the league from the new national team coach, and confidence in Blue to find someone who would lend that. She, and the whole league, will hope Stoney fits the bill.

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca could decide to completely sell a £62 million member of this squad in January, following a summer where he was not afraid to upset the apple cart at Stamford Bridge.

Maresca green-lights Chelsea exits for 16 senior players

The Italian, assisted by co-Chelsea sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley, gave the green-light for 16 senior men to leave Chelsea over the last transfer window.

Todd Boehly plotting to make £30m+ ace Chelsea's next priority signing

The American and his transfer team have a highly-rated player at the forefront of their thinking.

By
Emilio Galantini

Sep 12, 2024

Ian Maatsen, Conor Gallagher, Lewis Hall, Romelu Lukaku, Omari Hutchinson, Diego Moreira, Hakim Ziyech, Malang Sarr, Thiago Silva, Lesley Ugochukwu, Armando Broja, Trevoh Chalobah, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Djordje Petrovic, Tino Anjorin and Raheem Sterling were all allowed to leave Chelsea before deadline day, with Maresca ruthlessly trimming his bloated squad.

Chelsea's new head coach, as he explained to the media, was very upfront with his players about who was in his long-term plans, and who should seek moves elsewhere for the betterment of their careers.

"I prefer to be honest with players," said Maresca on his out-of-favour players at Chelsea.

"The ones who are not involved are not going to be involved and they won't get any minutes if they stay. I don't know what happens when the window closes if they are still here. The ones who will get minutes are the ones I think can help us.

"The rest are training apart, they are not going to get minutes. I have been clear and honest with them."

Ben Chilwell failed to secure a Chelsea exit in the summer and is rumoured to be training away from the first team, after being deemed surplus to requirements by Maresca.

Chilwell has attracted interest from Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce, according to some reports, and he could theoretically still make a move there as the Turkish transfer window remains open for business.

Striker David Datro Fofana has also seen a move to AEK Athens in Greece collapse at the eleventh hour, with their window now closed. There is, however, still hope that the Ivorian could make a temporary move to Turkey instead.

Maresca could completely sell Chelsea star Mudryk in January

Another player who's been tipped to leave recently is winger Mykhailo Mudryk, who Chelsea signed from Shaktar Donetsk for an initial £62 million (rising to £89m with add-ons) in January 2023.

There have been reports that Chelsea are expected to loan out Mudryk in January, but now GiveMeSport have gone one step further. According to their information, Maresca could look to completely sell Mudryk in the winter window, if he doesn't improve his form in the next three months.

The consensus within Chelsea, as per GMS, is that the Ukraine international's move has been a failure thus far, and other reports suggest that Mudryk faces a battle for his Chelsea future over the next weeks.

The 23-year-old, who won Ukraine's 2022 Footballer of the Year award, has played 61 minutes over two Premier League appearances so far this season, but played in both Conference League qualifying games against Servette – bagging an assist.