The Whitecaps lift their third consecutive Canadian Championship, mounting more pressure on Toronto FC.
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Whitecaps lift 2024 Canadian ChampionshipThird-straight win in competition Loss adds pressure on Toronto FCWHAT HAPPENED?
Vanni Sartini's magic in the Canadian Championship continues as the manager led his Vancouver Whitecaps to a third successive Canadian Championship after beating Toronto FC 4-2 on penalties (0-0 FT).
Toronto had more chances and possession than Vancouver, but couldn't convert — failing to get past Caps goalkeeper Isaac Boehmer despite seven shots on target from .
Bjørn Inge Utvik would prove heroic for Vancouver, converting the team's fourth penalty to ice the win.
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The win cements Sartini's legacy as arguably MLS's most underrated manager. Vancouver continues to gain success under the Italian's guidance despite modest resources. It's a stark contrast to the competition's other finalist.
Toronto FC have a rollercoaster season and will have increased pressure to reach the MLS playoffs in John Herdman's first season at the helm. Fair or not,' sky-high payroll and top-end stars raises expectations to reach the marquee part of the season.
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Although Toronto lost Wednesday night, it is still the competition's leader in trophy wins with eight wins. The club last won the CC in 2020.
Sam Curran has tested negative for Covid-19, after being forced to withdraw from England’s intra-squad three-day warm-up match at the Ageas Bowl through illness.Curran, who made a brisk 15 on the first day but did not get a chance to press his case for a Test place with the ball, has been self-isolating in his room at the team hotel after coming down with ‘sickness and diarrhoea’ on the second day of the match.He underwent a Covid test during the lunch interval on Thursday, and would have been required to spend a further seven days in isolation had it turned out to be positive, with implications for the rest of the squad ahead of the first Test against West Indies on July 8.However, he will now return to training over the next 24-48 hours but will continue to be closely monitored by the team doctor, Mark Wotherspoon.Curran will receive a further Covid-19 test on Sunday, along with the rest of the playing and management group.The news comes as a relief for the ECB, who had last week reported a total of 703 negative Covid tests at the Ageas Bowl and Emirates Old Trafford, the West Indies base, in the lead-up to the Test series.There will be concerns, however, if another sickness bug is making its way through the England squad, after the team’s build-up to the first Test in South Africa in December was ravaged by illness.There were some concerns about the health of Dan Lawrence, one of the likelier candidates to stand in for Joe Root during the first Test, who did not come out to bat in the top six in Team Buttler’s second innings at the Ageas Bowl, after a fluent fifty on the first day.However, the likelihood of any transmission has been reduced by the social-distancing measures being taken within the team environment, and a team spokesman confirmed to ESPNcricinfo that Lawrence was fine.
West Ham United's hopes of qualifying for Europe next season were eradicated on a miserable Sunday afternoon at Stamford Bridge, with Chelsea thrashing David Moyes' side 5-0 in the Premier League.
Chances of playing on the continent were already slim but the horrorshow against Chelsea has brought the east London club's piling problems to the foreground.
West Ham manager David Moyes looks dejected
Moyes has been expected to finish his contract this summer and depart the club but now that eventuality looks certain, with the players disinterested and dispirited.
Change is needed – and not just in the dugout. While he's one of the most talented and influential members of the Irons set-up, Lucas Paqueta is surely now headed for the exit upon the campaign's conclusion.
Lucas Paqueta's performance vs Chelsea
Paqueta, West Ham's £51m club-record signing, has been exemplary since arriving nearly two years ago, playing an instrumental role in his team's triumph in the Europa Conference League last season and scoring eight goals and adding seven assists in all competitions this term.
Lucas Paqueta for West Ham
But the 26-year-old's level has nosedived these past several weeks, with The Athletic's Roshane Thomas saying that "his form has tailed off and he has work to do to leave West Ham on a high," referencing Manchester City's fierce interest in the Brazilian.
But he hasn't produced displays of merit recently, suffering as one of West Ham's most miserable performers at Stamford Bridge, with The Evening Standard's Malik Ouzia branding him with a 3/10 match rating and writing: 'Looks to have phoned it in at this point. Form has gone off a cliff at the back end of the campaign. Did play a terrific pass for Emerson chance.'
Minutes played
76'
Touches
46
Accurate passes
24/34 (71%)
Possession lost
15x
Shots on target
0
Shots off target
1
Key passes
2
Crosses
0/2
Duels won
3/5
Tackles
0
Interceptions
0
Yellow card
1
His statistics from the Premier League contest aren't awful, per se, but his usually high-energy defensive work was nonexistent and he failed to provide the isolated Michail Antonio with effective support – the centre-forward completed just three passes all afternoon.
It's safe to say that his heart is not in it, and while Paqueta is one of the elite playmakers in the division, he must be sold this summer.
Why West Ham must cash in on Lucas Paqueta
Last year, Manchester City were on the verge of signing Paqueta for a staggering £80m fee but for an FA betting investigation into the Brazil international, still ongoing.
That inquiry notwithstanding, it looks likely that Pep Guardiola's side will move for Paqueta to add some depth and competition for the ageing but awesome Kevin De Bruyne, who is nearly 33, should he be cleared from wrongdoing.
As per FBref, Paqueta ranks among the top 10% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for passes attempted, the top 6% for progressive passes, the top 2% for tackles, the top 18% for interceptions, the top 20% for clearances and the top 4% for aerial duels won per 90.
The all-action midfielder might feel irreplaceable but so too was Declan Rice, who joined Arsenal in a £105m transfer last summer in a move that enabled bids for players such as Mohammed Kudus, Edson Alvarez and more.
Paqueta is not interested in a long-term future at the London Stadium – that is the truth, plain and cold. But by cashing in lucratively, West Ham and whoever Moyes' likely successor will be shall open up doors and dimensions from which the club may prosper.
The foundations are in place for lasting promise, and Paqueta has to go.
West Ham could keep Paqueta by appointing "perfect" Amorim alternative
This manager might just prove to be the right fit to succeed David Moyes at the London Stadium.
علق الحكم الأرجنتيني هوراسيو إليزوندو، على أبرز الحالات في مباراة الأهلي والاتحاد السكندري، التي أقيمت اليوم الجمعة، ضمن منافسات مسابقة الدوري المصري الممتاز.
وقال إليزوندو في تصريحات عبر قناة “أون تايم سبورتس”: حالة يحيى عطية الله؟ أتفق مع معيار عدم احتساب لمسة اليد، حيث قام لاعب الفريق الأخضر بركل الكرة نحو ذراع لاعب الفريق الأحمر، دون أن يقوم الأخير بأي حركة إضافية بالإضافة إلى ذلك، لا يوجد أي خصوم خلف لاعب الفريق الأحمر يمكنهم الاستفادة من الكرة، مما يعني أن هذه الحالة لم تؤثر على سير اللعب”.
طالع..كولر يسخر من سؤال أحد الصحفيين ويؤكد: الاتحاد استغل فرصته الوحيدة أمام الأهلي
وتابع بخصوص ركلة الجزاء الأولى للأهلي بعد عرقلة حسين الشحات: “ركلة جزاء واضحة بسبب تصرف متهور من لاعب الفريق الأخضر تجاه لاعب الفريق الأحمر، تدخل تقنية الفيديو كان صحيحًا، ولكنها كانت حالة بسيطة وسهلة وكان بإمكان الحكم احتسابها مباشرة في الملعب”.
وأتم بخصوص ركلة جزاء طاهر محمد طاهر: “تم احتساب ركلة الجزاء بشكل صحيح من قبل الحكم في الملعب، نتيجة لتصرف متهور من قبل المدافع”.
Manchester City's hearing into 115 alleged breaches of Financial Fair Play rules is now expected to start in September.
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Premier League champions facing inquiryHearing will now take place next monthCityzens could be relegated if found guiltyWHAT HAPPENED?
An independent inquiry into Manchester City's 115 alleged breaches of Premier League rules had been expected to take place in late autumn but is now due to start in September, according to The Times. The hearing will take place over 10 weeks and a verdict will be delivered by the beginning of next year.
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City have brought a legal case against the Premier League's associated party transaction rules, and the outcome of that case will be revealed within the next fortnight. That will then allow the hearing into City's alleged breaches to begin. The Times claim there is a "belief" that the club have achieved some success in the arbitration.
DID YOU KNOW?
If the most serious charges against City are proved, they face the threat of relegation from the Premier League as punishment. The rule breaches alleged include failing to provide accurate financial information for nine seasons, as well as obfuscation over Roberto Mancini's salary and the wages of certain players.
They have also been charged with failing to cooperate with the Premier League's investigation.
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GettyWHAT NEXT?
In the meantime, City will hope to focus on matters on the pitch. They play Chelsea this weekend as they prepare to chase a record-extending fifth successive Premier League title.
RB Leipzig will reject Barcelona's new offer for Dani Olmo, despite the Spaniard's desire to move to Camp Nou.
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Leipzig knock back Barcelona bid
Worth over €50m (£42m/$54m)
Barcelona remain upbeat in pursuit
WHAT HAPPENED?
Barcelona tabled a second bid for Olmo worth €50m and €15m (£13m/$16m) in add-ons. Barca have given up on a deal to sign Nico Williams and are focusing on the Leipzig playmaker, but the Bundesliga club are unwilling to allow a deal at such a price, per
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Leipzig are unhappy with both the fee being proposed and the payment structure. They would prefer a deal where they are guaranteed €55m (£46m/$59m) and want the majority of it this summer. Barcelona are unable to match that demand at present.
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Olmo remains Barca's top target and the Catalan giants are said to remain hopeful they will be able to strike a deal. It is unclear if Leipzig have set any sort of deadline for negotiations to conclude.
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WHAT NEXT?
Barcelona are continuing preparations for the new season. They will face Real Madrid on Sunday in a friendly version of El Clasico… or so they hope.
Batsman will now lead side across all three formats
ESPNcricinfo staff29-Nov-2019
Gary Wilson has led Ireland in the past 18 months•Peter Della Penna
Gary Wilson has been replaced as Ireland’s T20I captain, with Andy Balbirnie – who was recently confirmed as the new Test and ODI captain – taking the reins in his place.Wilson took on the role in June 2018, and led the side in 25 games as full-time captain. Ireland finished third in the T20 World Cup qualifier under his leadership, taking them to the first round of the tournament itself in Australia next year, and won 12, lost 12 and tied one of his games at the helm.ALSO READ: Porterfield steps down as captain, Balbirnie named as replacementAndrew White, the chairman of selectors, said that his panel and Wilson had agreed Balbirnie should “have the opportunity to forge his leadership style and his standards across all three formats”, and praised the “number of exciting young players” that had been brought through during his tenure.”Both Gary and the selectors believe that Andrew Balbirnie should have the opportunity to forge his leadership style and his standards across all three formats,” White said.”Whilst he was announced as Test Match and ODI captain a few weeks ago, after consultation with the selectors and Gary it was agreed by all that with similar players likely to be utilised across all formats it was important that Andrew was allowed to stamp his mark on the new generation of players coming through.””Gary has been an inspirational leader and our qualification was largely down to his attention to detail in planning and getting the best out of his players in a short space of time. We thank Gary for his candour and professionalism during this process. He will remain an integral part of the international setup as we continue to build this exciting group of young players.”Wilson said it was an “absolute honour” to have captained his country.”It was something that I dreamt about as a child,” he said. “When I took on the job 18 months ago it was always the remit to qualify for the [T20] World Cup and reassess from there.”I’m very much looking forward to continuing as a player and working with Balbo in the future. I think it will prove to be a great appointment and believe that it is important that he, as a captain, has control of all three sides and gets to take it in a direction that he sees fit.”Head coach Graham Ford said: “Gary has been an exceptional leader of this young squad over the last 18 months, and it has been his experience, incredible passion for Irish cricket and clarity of thinking that has been the major contribution to the team’s exciting progress over the last 18 months and qualifying for the T20 World Cup.”It is a mark of Gary’s professionalism that he has understood the interests of the team, and wholeheartedly committed his full support to Andrew in his newly consolidated leadership role.”
The 2023/24 season hasn't been kind to Newcastle United, but while the past few months have been tough, the club are undeniably on the up.
Eddie Howe has taken a team that looked destined for the drop and taken them to the Champions League while disrupting the 'big six' along the way. Even now, they have a chance of reaching the semi-finals of the FA Cup.
The squad will only improve over the coming transfer windows, although transfers might not be necessary if the academy can produce more players like Lewis Miley.
He's been a revelation for the first team this year and looks destined for big things in the northeast, although one of his teammates who has been underwhelming for years still earns nine times more than him.
Lewis Miley's salary at Newcastle United
Miley joined the Toon as a youngster and worked his way up through the various youth sides before making his first-team debut against Chelsea on the final day of last season – making him the club's youngest-ever Premier League debutant.
However, that was just a short cameo for the youngster, and he made his full debut in the club's League Cup clash against Manchester City, a game the Magpies won 1-0.
Lewis Miley's Newcastle career so far
Appearances
26
Goals
1
Assists
3
Goal Involvements per Match
0.15
All Stats via Transfermarkt
In all, the Stanley-born star has made 25 appearances for his boyhood club this season, in which he has scored one goal and provided three assists, primarily from a central midfield area.
The "technical" and "elegant" gem, as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has been so impressive for Newcastle that he was awarded the Player of the Month award in December before signing a new deal with the club a month later.
According to Capology, Miley is now earning around £5k-per-week, and while that's a lot of money for a 17-year-old, it feels justified given his potential. However, considering one of his teammates earns considerably more for doing markedly less, maybe it's not a fair wage.
Matt Ritchie's salary at Newcastle United
Newcastle signed former Scotland international Matt Ritchie from Bournemouth in July 2016 for around £12m.
It was a move that, in fairness to the Gosport-born star, worked out well in his first season at St James' Park, as his 16 goals and ten assists in 48 appearances played a crucial role in getting the club out of the Championship at the first time of asking.
However, that was as good as it got for the 5 foot 8 winger. Over the following seven seasons, he would add just nine more goals and 23 more assists in another 162 appearances to take his grand total to 25 goals and 33 assists.
Now, he has had his fair share of injuries along the way, missing a seismic sum of 38 games for the Magpies, but that only averages out to just under five games missed per season, which isn't much of an excuse for his poor return.
The finances of Matt Ritchie's Newcastle career
Transfer Fee
£12m
Total Wages
£15.7m
Total Cost (so far)
£27.7m
Appearances
210
Cost per Appearance
£131k
Minutes
15,257'
Cost per Minute
£1.8k
Goals
25
Cost per Goal
£1.1m
Assists
33
Cost per Assist
£839k
Goal Involvements
58
Cost per Goal Involvement
£477k
Stats via Transfermarkt & Wages via Capology
Moreover, for the first three seasons he was at the club, he was earning £30k-per-week, and since then, he has been taking home £45k-per-week, which, when added together, means Ritchie has cost Newcastle a whopping £15.7m in wages alone, or £27.7m including his transfer fee.
Therefore, the 34-year-old has cost the Magpies £131k-per-appearance, £1.1m-per-goal, or £477k-per-goal-involvement.
Wage Burners
Football FanCast's Wage Burners series explores the salaries of the modern-day game.
Ultimately, while Ritchie was instrumental in getting Newcastle promoted back in 2016/17, the fact that he now earns nine times more than Miley seems crazy, and if the club want to keep progressing, they should look to sell the Scotsman this summer.
Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson doesn't expect to see a 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo starring for Portugal at the 2026 World Cup.
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Ronaldo has failed to score at Euro 2024
Al Nassr striker facing criticism for 'selfishness'
Will be 41 in two years' time
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WHAT HAPPENED?
While Ronaldo has already admitted that this will be his final Euros, it's not clear yet whether he intends to lace the boots up at the World Cup in 2026. Yet in the opinion of Ferguson, Ronaldo would struggle to make an impact at the tournament due to the growing demands that would be placed on his 41-year-old body.
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It's been a difficult competition for Portugal's Ronaldo, who has cried, screamed and, most notably, failed to score en route to the quarter-finals. The nadir came in the round-of-16 clash against Slovenia, in which Ronaldo seemingly ignored all team elements of football and tried single-handedly to drag the Selecao through, all of which ended with him missing a penalty and apologising to Portugal's fans.
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WHAT FERGUSON SAID
Father Time remains unbeaten and Ferguson, who helped shape Ronaldo into a superstar at United, doesn't believe the forward will be able to play at the highest level required at the next World Cup.
When asked if he expects to see Ronaldo at the tournament, Ferguson told : "I can't imagine that. Football will become even faster and more athletic in the coming years. In addition, the space for central strikers will become increasingly smaller. In contrast to defenders, it is more difficult for strikers to play at the highest level when they are older."
Ferguson did, however, add that he considers Ronaldo to be "one of the greatest players of all time", and doesn't believe he has anything more to prove. "One or two more titles would not mean much to him," said the former United boss. "Because he has had a unique career."
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WHAT NEXT FOR RONALDO AND PORTUGAL?
France await Roberto Martinez's side in a mouth-watering quarter-final matchup on Friday, with the victors just two wins away from European glory. Ronaldo will be desperate to silence those calling for him to be dropped when he comes up against Mbappe and Co.
Rishabh Pant played four matches for India in the 2019 World Cup, batting at No. 4 in each game. Scores of 32, 48, 4 and 32 seemed to suggest Pant had the potential to be the long-term solution for India, batting at that troublesome number. The No. 4 spot hasn’t yet been nailed down despite several players being tried out, but for his part, Pant said he felt comfortable there and had been practising for it.”I loved batting at No. 4. It was nothing new for me as I have played at No. 4 before, like in the IPL. I had been practicing for the same role,” Pant told . “There is no specific way or style I play in. I always play according to situation. I don’t know what people say, because I don’t read newspapers much.”Pant had played only five ODIs before the World Cup, though he wasn’t short on international experience, having played nine Tests and 15 T20Is. The wicketkeeper-batsman acknowledged that cutting his teeth in Test cricket made things easier.”I don’t think about (the differences in) formats too much. Yes, maybe it did help that I played Test cricket first,” Pant said. “I got good experience from playing Test cricket. People used to say that Test cricket is the most difficult. So I got to learn a lot, how to build the innings, playing down the order and how to bat with the tail.”There is learning every day in Test cricket. Especially when you have to walk out to bat after having fielded the entire day. That is a different experience. In ODIs and T20Is especially, things happen very fast.”Pant will now be the first-choice wicketkeeper for the Indian team on their tour of the West Indies across formats, with MS Dhoni not available.”I know those are big shoes to fill, but if I start thinking about it there will be a problem,” he said of replacing Dhoni in the limited-overs formats. “Right now, I am not thinking about what people say. I am just focusing on what I have to do.”My coach has always told me one thing: every year you have to add something to your game. You can’t stagnate because now the technology is so good that you have to keep improving and add on things each and every day of your career. That’s what I try to do. I just keep on trying new things. If it helps me, I try it in a match. There are days when I try these new shots in the nets, some days I don’t. It is all part of a long-term process.”