Abidal begs for wife´s forgiveness as she seeks divorce over alleged Hamraoui affair

Eric Abidal has pleaded with wife Hayet to forgive him after she demanded a divorce and claimed the former Barcelona and France star confessed to an affair with Kheira Hamraoui.

Hamraoui is the Paris Saint-Germain footballer who was struck with an iron bar by masked attackers outside her home on November 4.

Police investigations into that attack are reported to have led to the discovery of a link between Hamraoui and Abidal, in the shape of a phone chip in Abidal s name being used by Hamraoui.

According to a widely referenced statement from Hayet Abidal s lawyer, Nicolas Cellupica, that was first released to the AFP news agency, the discovery of the phone chip prompted the former footballer to admit he had strayed.

The 42-year-old has now asked his wife…

Rumour Has It: Real Madrid plot sensational swoop for Chelsea´s Reece James

Chelsea have underwhelmed this season and may look to offload players to ensure they meet financial fair play requirements, but could Reece James really leave Stamford Bridge?

The Blues have spent big money over the past 10 months since Todd Boehly took over ownership from Roman Abramovich.

Enzo Fernandez, Wesley Fofana, Mykhailo Mudryk, Marc Cucurella, Raheem Sterling, Benoit Badiashile, Kalidou Koulibaly, Noni Madueke and Malo Gusto were all signed in lucrative moves.

TOP STORY – MADRID CONSIDER SHOCK MOVE FOR CHELSEA S JAMES

Real Madrid are plotting a shock swoop to sign Chelsea full-back Reece James as the Blues plan a clean-out, claims AS.

James, 23, is contracted with the Blues until 2028, making any deal complicated, but Los Blancos are …

Prediction: Ukraine vs England

Best Odds: 10/11

Bookmaker:

With a spot in the semi-finals of this summer s European Championships up for grabs on Saturday night, a high-flying England and Ukraine will face off at the Stadio Olimpico.

Ukraine

Starting with Ukraine, while Andriy Shevchenko s side might have found themselves tipped as a real outsider when they faced off against Sweden earlier in the week, The Yellows put in an eye-catching display at Hampden. Booking their first quarter-final spot since 2006 with what was a stunning last-gasp winner in extra-time, the former AC Milan icon should find the mood in his camp at a real high. With many believing that they simply have a free hit when they travel to the Stadio Olimpico this weekend, Ukraine have really bounced back after what was an un…

Atletico Madrid 3 Lokomotiv Moscow 0: Saul strike lights up low-key first leg

Saul Niguez, Diego Costa and Koke were all on target as Atletico Madrid took firm control of their last-16 Europa League tie with a 3-0 home win against Lokomotiv Moscow.

The two-time champions were rarely at their best in Thursday s first leg, but Diego Simeone s men have a foot in the quarter-finals after Koke s last-minute strike wrapped up a convincing win.

Saul s stunner gave Atleti the lead, the midfielder picking out the top corner with a sensational long-range drive that lit up a quiet first half at the Wanda Metropolitano.

When Diego Costa turned in a rebound after Antoine Griezmann was denied by Guilherme immediately following the restart, the result was effectively set in stone.

Atletico, winners of the Europa League in 2010 and 2012, have n…

Hat-trick hero Martinez: Inter´s character and determination have been revived

Inter made up for a dip in their determination and character with a resounding 5-0 win over Salernitana, according to Lautaro Martinez. 

A four-game winless run in Serie A and two wins in seven in the competition had seen Inter slip off top spot and fall two points behind leaders Napoli. 

However, the Nerazzurri returned to the summit on Friday after Martinez found the back of the net in a top-flight game for the first time since December. It ended a barren run of no goals in 425 minutes, making it his worst such spell in all competitions since going 430 minutes without a goal in January 2018.

The Argentina international ended the match at San Siro with a hat-trick, while strike partner Edin Dzeko scored the other two as Inter went a point clear at the summit a…

Bournemouth 1-3 Manchester City: Aguero reaches 400 career goals as champions go second

Manchester City secured a battling 3-1 win at Bournemouth to bounce back from last week s frustrating draw against Tottenham and climb to second in the Premier League.

The champions latest VAR woe saw them slip two points off the pace at home to Spurs, but a display of character and quality on the south coast on Sunday ensured that setback was swiftly forgotten.

It had even looked as though City would enjoy a comfortable outing when they took a two-goal lead through Sergio Aguero and Raheem Sterling, who now has nine goals in eight league games against Bournemouth.

But after Harry Wilson struck a wonderful riposte just before half-time, Pep Guardiola s men were required to dig in for a time before Aguero netted again his 400th goal for club and country and City e…

Manchester United confirm Antony capture as fifth Erik ten Hag signing

Manchester United have confirmed the capture of Brazil international Antony from Ajax, with the Premier League club expected to pay an £81.3million (€95m) fee for the winger.

The Selecao star has been a long-term target of former boss Erik ten Hag following his move from the Eredivisie to Old Trafford, and now the 22-year-old will follow the Dutchman to rejoin him on a five-year deal.

The deal, which was struck earlier this week after Ajax turned down multiple offers from United, becomes the fifth major signing of the transfer window for the club.

This is an incredible moment in my career to be joining one of the most iconic clubs in the world, Antony told United s official website.

I m thankful to everyone who has believed in me, especially my fa…

Maguire jeers ´won´t happen in our stadium´, assures Man Utd boss Rangnick

Ralf Rangnick is confident Harry Maguire will not face abuse from Manchester United fans after he was jeered while on international duty with England.

Maguire s name was booed ahead of England s 3-0 friendly win over Ivory Coast on Tuesday, a reaction that was widely criticised by Gareth Southgate and his Three Lions players.

Southgate described the response at Wembley as an absolute joke , while Harry Kane, Jordan Henderson, Jack Grealish and Declan Rice all came out in defence of Maguire.

Given the centre-back has played a key role in England s runs to the 2018 World Cup semi-finals and Euro 2020 final, the vocal criticism appeared to relate more to his club form.

Maguire, who is the United captain, has come under scrutiny in a tough season at Old Traff…

Rumour Has It: Milinkovic-Savic has verbal agreement with Manchester United

The contract still needs signing but Sergej Milinkovic-Savic is poised to make the biggest move of his career… if you believe reports.

Linked with Europe s biggest clubs last season, Lazio star Milinkovic-Savic is once again in demand heading into 2019-20.

And the Serbia international s future is reportedly already decided.

 

TOP STORY – MILINKOVIC-SAVIC GIVES UNITED HIS WORD

Lazio midfielder Milinkovic-Savic has a verbal agreement to join Manchester United, according to the Daily Mail.

With Paul Pogba s future at Old Trafford uncertain amid links to Real Madrid, Milinkovic-Savic has emerged as a transfer target for the Red Devils.

And Serbia international Milinkovic-Savic – who is reportedly rated at £80million – has a…

“What Liverpool did is amazing” – Spurs boss Jose Mourinho on Liverpool’s broken home invincibility run

Liverpool suffered their first Premier League defeat at Anfield in almost four years on Thursday to Burnley, after an incredible run of 68 home games without losing.

Tottenham Hotspur boss Jose Mourinho, who was in charge of Chelsea when the Blues set the still-holding record of 86 home league matches without defeat stopped at that number by Liverpool says what the Reds did between losing to Crystal Palace in March 2017 and this Burnley clash is amazing.

‘Records are to be broken’ – Mourinho on Liverpool defeat s to Burnley

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