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Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay relaunched their bid to host the 2030 World Cup following a meeting of their presidents in Buenos Aires on Wednesday (Mar 20). From left to right: Argentina Presdient Mauricio Macri, Chile's Sebastian Pinera, Mario Abdo Benitez of Paraguay and Uruguay's leader Tabare Vazquez. (AFP/HO) The four national presidents committed to creating a local organizing committee with a representative from each country to coordinate with CONMEBOL, South American football's governing body. The first meeting will be in Buenos Aires on Apr 8. They also decided to distribute the opening match, two semi-finals and final between the four potential hosts. Argentina and Uruguay originally announced their intention to submit a joint bid in 2017 before Paraguay joined the coalition later that year. Chile was added to the joint candidacy last month while Bolivia, led by football-mad President Evo Morales, has also shown an interest in forming part of the bloc. … [Read more...] about Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay relaunch 2030 World Cup bid

Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold has withdrawn from the England squad for their Euro 2020 qualifiers due to a back injury. Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold has withdrawn from the England squad. (AFP/Paul ELLIS) Alexander-Arnold had been struggling with the problem before linking up with England and on Wednesday it was decided the right-back wouldn't recover in time to feature against the Czech Republic and Montenegro. The 20-year-old has returned to Liverpool to continue treatment on the injury with a view to featuring for the Premier League leaders after the international break. "Trent Alexander-Arnold has withdrawn from the England squad and returned to Liverpool," a Football Association statement read. "The right-back arrived nursing a back injury and, despite progress in recent days, it was unlikely he would be able to play a role in the forthcoming UEFA EURO 2020 qualifiers. "The 20-year-old will now continue his rehabilitation at his club leaving … [Read more...] about Alexander Arnold pulls out of England squad

Paul Pogba said on Wednesday (Mar 20) he is "happy" at Manchester United but that Real Madrid, "is a dream club." France midfielder Paul Pogba won the 2018 World Cup in Russia. (AFP/Thomas SAMSON) Playing for Real, "is a dream for every kid, for every football player," the midfielder told a press conference at France's training base. "It's one of the biggest clubs in the world. I've always said Real Madrid is a dream club for every player," the 26-year-old said. The Spanish outfit recently re-appointed another World Cup winning French midfielder in Zinedine Zidane as head coach taking over from Santiago Solari. United have also changed bosses this season, bringing in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to replace the sacked Jose Mourinho. "At the moment, I'm happy in Manchester. I play. There's a new coach," he said. Pogba, who was interviewed on British television earlier in the day, was asked again about his difficult relationship with Mourinho, and again attempted a sidestep. "What was … [Read more...] about Pogba says Real Madrid is “a dream club”

World number one Naomi Osaka on Wednesday (Mar 20) refused to become embroiled in a dispute with one of her former coaches who is suing her for 20 per cent of her career earnings. Naomi Osaka and Serbian star Novak Djokovic took part in a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Miami Open. (AFP/Michael Reaves) Christophe Jean, who helped the Japanese two-time Grand Slam champion when she was a junior, wants at least US$2 million of the US$10 million of her earnings to date. Jean insists Osaka's father, Leonard Francois, had signed a contract when he was coaching the 21-year-old and her sister Mari in 2011. Osaka told AFP she was "not allowed to say anything" about reports of the lawsuit, although sources close to the Japanese star stressed they are not fearful of the outcome and believe the matter will be resolved shortly. When asked about the difficulty of dealing with the trappings of fame and becoming the world's top player, however, Osaka admitted she is still learning. "I am … [Read more...] about Osaka silent over ex coach lawsuit as Miami Open begins

England should embrace their new-found status as one of the favourites for a major tournament, believes captain Harry Kane. Harry Kane has welcomed the new-found expectations on England. (AFP/Paul ELLIS) The Three Lions open their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign at home to the Czech Republic on Friday fresh from a run to the last four of the World Cup last summer and with another semi-final to come in the Nations League in June. "I think we feel that expectation where people now expect us to do well and I think before the World Cup there was no expectation. It is great that we have turned that around," said Kane on Tuesday. "I think we've handled it really well since the World Cup. I think we're the only team who got into the semi-finals at the World Cup to have got through their Nations League groups, and we had probably one of the hardest groups. "I think that was big for us, to prove to everyone that it wasn't just a one-off. That this team we are really building for … [Read more...] about Kane welcomes great expectations on England

Manchester United forward Alexis Sanchez is determined to succeed at the club and says he still believes in himself despite a disappointing first year at Old Trafford. Manchester United forward Alexis Sanchez has struggled since moving to Old Trafford. (Photo: AFP/Oli SCARFF) The Chile international, who is likely to be sidelined for another month with a knee injury, has endured a frustrating time since his move from Arsenal in January 2018. He has managed just five goals in 41 appearances for the club, with only two in 23 in this current injury-troubled season. But with the team's fortunes transformed since caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer replaced the sacked Jose Mourinho in December, Sanchez is looking towards a better future. "I want to keep showing my love for football. I know what I can do. I have belief in my ability," he told Inside United magazine. "United are such an important club, not only in England but on a global level, and I would love to help bring a … [Read more...] about Sanchez wants to bring “joy” to Manchester United fans

Cristiano Ronaldo rejoined his Portugal team-mates on Tuesday (Mar 19) ahead of the start of Euro 2020 qualifying this week following a nine-month absence from the national team. Cristiano Ronaldo is second on the all-time list of international scorers with 85 goals. (Photo: AFP/PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA) The 34-year-old Juventus forward was recalled by Portugal coach Fernando Santos for games at home to Ukraine and Serbia, having not played for his country since the 2018 World Cup. Ronaldo was rested for the last six Portugal games while he settled at his new club following his departure from Real Madrid last July. The reigning European champions, who are through to the UEFA Nations League final in June, kick off their Group B campaign in Lisbon on Friday against Ukraine before facing Serbia on Mar 25. "Cristiano adds quality to any team. It's a pleasure to play with him and he's very important for us," Portugal defender Joao Cancelo, Ronaldo's team-mate at Juventus, told … [Read more...] about Ronaldo joins Portugal camp for Euro 2020 qualifiers

France's World Cup-winning coach Didier Deschamps has told AFP he would like to remain in his job until the 2022 finals in Qatar. Didier Deschamps won the World Cup as France captain in 1998 before leading the country to another title as coach two decades later. (Photo: AFP/FRANCK FIFE) The 50-year-old Deschamps, who took charge of France in 2012, guided Les Bleus to a second World Cup title in Russia, two decades after lifting the trophy as captain on home soil. "For me to be able to carry on until the next World Cup is obviously something I would not be unhappy about, but we'll see," Deschamps said Tuesday (Mar 19). "I have a very good relationship with (FFF) president (Noel Le Graet). I'm under contract until the European Championships, which is the only certainty right now." Deschamps's deal runs until June 2020, but the former France and Juventus midfielder admitted any extension would depend on the performance of his team. "It's linked to results. But before thinking … [Read more...] about Deschamps keen to lead France into 2022 World Cup

Six matches of Group K within the framework of the 2020 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U23 Championship, which are hosted by Vietnam, will be broadcast live nationwide, the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) announced on March 18. Illustrative photo (Source: VFF) Next Media Solutions JSC, as permitted by the VFF, will be the exclusive broadcaster and distributor of the broadcasting rights of the qualifier matches in all media platforms. The company has also successfully negotiated with international partners to obtain the broadcasting rights of qualification matches of other groups taking place in Indonesia and Thailand. Vietnam are in Group K along with Thailand, Indonesia and Brunei. All Group K matches will be held at the My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi, Vietnam. Vietnam will face Brunei, Indonesia and Thailand on March 22, March 24 and March 26, respectively. Head coach Park Hang-seo has selected 37 players to prepare for these matches, many of them played for the … [Read more...] about AFC U23 Championship’s Group K matches broadcast in Vietnam

UEFA on Monday (Mar 18) opened an investigation into Cristiano Ronaldo's goal celebration after scoring a hat-trick in Juventus' Champions League comeback win against Atletico Madrid last week. Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring a hat-trick against Atletico Madrid. (Photo: AFP/Marco BERTORELLO) European football's governing body said Ronaldo was facing charges of "improper conduct" after he mimicked Diego Simeone's crotch-grabbing 'cojones' gesture in last Tuesday's 3-0 win that sent Juventus through 3-2 on aggregate. After scoring the decisive penalty four minutes from time, Ronaldo turned towards the Atletico fans and replicated Simeone's gesture after the Spaniards' 2-0 first leg win by grasping his genitals and thrusting out his groin. A decision will be taken by UEFA on Mar 21. Juventus take on Dutch club Ajax in the Champions League quarter-finals over two legs, on Apr 10 in Amsterdam and Apr 16 in Turin. Coach Massimiliano Allegri has said he … [Read more...] about UEFA probe Ronaldo for “improper conduct” over “cojones” goal celebration