Pep Guardiola has confirmed Spain s Guardia Civil searched his family s private plane looking for exiled Catalan politician Carles Puigdemont.
The former regional president fled to Belgium in October after the national government s crackdown in the wake of an independence referendum it ruled to be illegal.
Spanish media reports claimed the Guardia searched an aircraft belonging to Manchester City manager Guardiola earlier this week when it landed at Barcelona s El Prat airport from Manchester.
Guardiola was not present but his family were on board and he confirmed the widely circulated version of events at a news conference to preview City s EFL Cup final clash with Arsenal at Wembley on Sunday.
That s something that my wife explained to me. It happened …
Liverpool are interested in signing Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund, according to Sport 1 journalist Patrick Berger. The well-known and well-resected journalist has reported on Twitter that Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is monitoring the former Birmingham City midfielder for a potential transfer next summer.
https://twitter.com/berger_pj/status/1435747246746882048
Dortmund do not want to sell Bellingham, who has no release clause in his contract at the German club. The 18-year-old England international midfielder moved to the Bundesliga outfit from Birmingham in 2020 and has established himself as an important player in the team. The teenager has also played eight times for England and was part of the Three Lions’ squad for the Euro 2020 finals …
Manchester United s Premier League game against Brentford on Tuesday has been postponed following a COVID-19 outbreak among the Red Devils players and staff.
United confirmed on Monday that the club s Carrington Training Complex would be closed for 24 hours to minimise risk of any further infection .
The Premier League Board announced the decision to postpone the game, which is clarified in a statement was made following guidance from medical advisers .
Manchester United said in a statement: Given cancellation of training and disruption to the squad, and with the health of players and staff the priority, the Club requested the match to be rearranged. The Premier League Board took the decision to postpone based on guidance from medical advisors.
Sunday s …
Andre Onana has been suspended by Cameroon due to disciplinary reasons after coach Rigobert Song left the goalkeeper out against Serbia.
Devis Epassy was preferred in goal for Monday s thrilling 3-3 World Cup draw, with reports suggesting Onana s omission came after a disagreement with Song over the 26-year-old s playing style against Switzerland.
Song explained after the match that he felt he needed to take a strong action and that those that didn t want to be a part of that, well they can be judged.
The Cameroon Football Federation subsequently confirmed Inter goalkeeper Onana has been stepped down from his duties for an indefinite period.
Following Rigobert Song s decision, Andre Onana has been temporarily suspended from the group for disciplinary re…
Harry Kane was named in England s starting XI for Tuesday s World Cup clash with Wales, with Phil Foden, Marcus Rashford and Kyle Walker also coming into the team.
Gareth Southgate gave little away on Monday when asked if Kane, who has been struggling with a foot injury, would feature from the off at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium.
England s progress from Group B would be assured with a point against Wales, who would need to win by at least three goals if they are to qualify, depending on the outcome of Iran v United States in the other match.
Kane has only scored three times in 10 games for England in 2022, with all those goals coming from the penalty spot.
Southgate has made four changes from England s last game.
Foden did not come on in the goalless dr…
Lisandro Lopez on Juventus radar
Juventus are set to launch an assault on Lyon star Lisandro Lopez, .
With Nicklas Bendtner set to miss next three months of action, Bianconeri boss Antonio Conte is eager to sign a new striker in January.
Italian newspaper Tuttosport claims the Old Lady will attempt to lure Lisandro Lopez from Stade Gerland.
Lopez, 29, has one and a half years left on his deal at Lyon, and he is believed to be looking for a new challenge.
The French giants were holding out for €15 million last summer, but the forward can now be acquired for much less.
Lopez’s representative recently revealed that his client planned to end his career at Racing Club, but there is every chance he will embark on another last challenge befo…
Luiz Felipe Scolari will be keen to pick up his first win since returning as Brazil coach when they take on Russia at Stamford Bridge on Monday.
The trainer is expected to bring in additional experience to a defence that surrendered a two-goal lead against Italy last week, with Thiago Silva and Marcelo replacing Dante and Filipe Luis respectively. Fernando and Hernanes are expected to continue their partnership in midfield with Ramires doubtful after struggling to shake off a knock.
The only other change from the former Chelsea boss will see Hulk drop to the bench with Kaka awarded a starting berth behind Fred.
Russia s preparations, meanwhile, have been far from ideal with their World Cup qualifier against Northern Ireland postponed twice. However, the only like…
FIFA presidential candidate Tokyo Sexwale will face questions after being accused of running a low-profile campaign to succeed Sepp Blatter.
Sexwale is one of five men in contention to replace the Swiss at the elections on February 26, along with Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein, Jerome Champagne, Gianni Infantino and Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa.
Blatter and UEFA president Michel Platini were banned from all football-related activity for eight years after claims a disloyal payment was made from FIFA to the Frenchman in 2011.
With the presidential race seemingly wide open with no standout favourite, the South African Football Association (SAFA) has asked Sexwale to explain why his campaign has had little media exposure.
The NEC (National Ex…
Fikayo Tomori is eager to learn as much as he can from legendary defender Paolo Maldini after joining Milan from Chelsea.
The 23-year-old this week completed a switch to Milan on an initial loan deal until the end of the season with the option to make that move permanent.
Tomori struggled for first-team opportunities under Frank Lampard at Stamford Bridge, featuring just once in the Premier League this term.
But the centre-back now has the opportunity to kickstart his career at San Siro, where he is hoping to follow in the steps of the great Maldini.
Five-time European Cup winner Maldini is now working as Milan s technical director and Tomori says he could not turn down the chance to link up with one of the all-time greats.
I chose to come here…
Mateo Kovacic has run out of patience at Real Madrid and wants to leave the club in search of regular action.
Croatia international Kovacic joined Madrid in 2015 from Inter after developing into one of Serie A s most promising players, costing Los Blancos a reported €35million.
But it has been a constant struggle for Kovacic to carve out a niche in the Madrid midfield, failing to oust countryman Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Casemiro in Zinedine Zidane s favoured trio.
After Zidane made his decision to resign following a third successive Champions League success, Kovacic still just 24 was seen by many as one of the players most likely to benefit.
But, frustrated with starting just 37 LaLiga games in three years, Kovacic is going to look for a new start …