Sport Archives - Page 5 of 15

World Cup Transport Fares Slashed Following Fan Outrage in New Jersey

May 13, 2026 by admin

Transport costs for matches at the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 have been reduced after strong backlash from fans over what were described as excessive fares for services to venues in the United States. As reported by BBC Sport on Wednesday, prices for train and shuttle bus travel to MetLife Stadium, which will be referred to as New York/New Jersey Stadium during the tournament, were initially set at levels supporters criticised as far above normal rates. Following the criticism, rail ticket prices have been reduced from 98 (£73), while shuttle bus fares have been cut from 20 (£15). The venue will host eight World Cup matches, including one of England’s group-stage fixtures and a semi-final The Football Supporters’ Association’s England fan representative, Thomas Concannon, had earlier condemned the pricing as “astronomical,” arguing it was “completely out of the norm” compared with standard transport fares. For comparison, a return rail journey from Penn Station in Manhattan to the stadium typically costs around $`12.90 (£9.50), highlighting the scale of the initial pricing. New Jersey governor Mikie Sherrill said the revised fares were made possible through commercial sponsorship and would not rely on taxpayer funding. She said the changes were aimed at making travel more affordable for fans attending matches. “Good news: Ahead of NJ Transit World Cup train tickets going on sale, NJ Transit is lowering ticket prices to `$98 without New Jersey taxpayer money. “Thank you to our partners for helping make this possible,” Sherrill said. New York Governor Kathy Hochul also welcomed the reductions, saying access to the tournament should be as affordable as possible. She announced a 75% cut in round-trip bus fares and said a portion of tickets would be reserved for New York residents. Despite the reductions in New Jersey, concerns remain over transport pricing in other host cities, with fans travelling to Foxborough in Boston facing significantly higher fares compared with usual rates. England and Scotland supporters are expected to be among those affected, with fixtures scheduled across multiple US venues during the tournament. The pricing adjustments come amid continued scrutiny of logistics and affordability as preparations intensify for the expanded 2026 World Cup across North America.

Perez Seeks Re-election as Real Madrid President

May 12, 2026 by admin

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez on Tuesday called club elections and announced that he would stand again. “I am not going to resign,” the 79-year-old Perez told a press conference towards the end of a season in which Real Madrid will finish trophyless. Barcelona defeated Real Madrid 2-0 in the Clasico at Camp Nou on Sunday to claim back-to-back La Liga titles with three games to spare. Madrid bowed out of the Champions League with a quarter-final exit against Bayern Munich. Current Real coach Alvaro Arbeloa, who replaced Xabi Alonso in January, is unlikely to remain at the helm next season and former Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has been linked with a potential return. This season has seen Madrid finish without a major trophy for a second year running. Fans have been protesting against star player Kylian Mbappe for a perceived lack of commitment, while there are stories of multiple training ground bust-ups, including one that sent midfielder Fede Valverde to the hospital. Perez justified his bid for a new term in response to what he dubbed an “absurd campaign” against Real Madrid. “I’ve made this decision because an absurd situation has been created to generate a tide of opinion against the interests of Real Madrid,” argued Perez. “I’ve been here 26 years, and it’s been a wonderful time.” Perez took aim at media campaigns and other personalities, claiming they were taking advantage of this season’s poor results to target him personally. “I want to put an end to this anti-Madrid current that wants to destroy Real Madrid,” he said. “I’m standing for re-election to return the club’s assets to its members. “If anyone wants to run, they shouldn’t just pretend — let them run, but let them say what they’re going to do, how they’re going to finance everything.” Perez added: “They say out there that Real Madrid is a problem case, but it’s the most prestigious club in the world.” But he admitted that he was as frustrated as the rest of Madrid’s fans about the lack of trophies for the second consecutive year and also about the altercation between Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni. “I think it is very bad and I think it’s even worse that it was made public,” Perez said of the clash, which ended with both players being fined 500,000 euros. Perez added that he and his backers were putting together a 500-page dossier that he will send to UEFA over allegations of corruption in Spanish refereeing. “It’s the most serious case of corruption in football,” he said. “I’ve only won seven Champions League titles and seven league titles, when I could have won 14 because the others were stolen from me.” Barcelona are currently being investigated by Spanish authorities in a sports corruption case after paying the former vice-president of Spain’s refereeing committee (CTA), Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira, seven million euros ($8.3 million) over several years. The club deny any wrongdoing.

FULL LIST: Dembélé, Olise Win as PSG Dominate 2025/26 Ligue 1 Awards

May 12, 2026 by admin

Ligue 1 side Paris Saint-Germain dominated the 2025/26 UNFP Awards ceremony held in Paris on Monday, with forward, Ousmane Dembélé, named Ligue 1 Player of the Year. The French winger secured the honour for the second time in his career after an impressive campaign with PSG, succeeding former teammate, Kylian Mbappé, who won the award five consecutive times before joining Real Madrid. The 2025 Ballon d’Or winner and recipient of ‘The Best’ award has been instrumental in 16 matches this season, with 10 goals and 6 assists. In 2026, he has also recorded 12 direct goal contributions in the league, just one fewer than Esteban Lepaul. Reacting after receiving the award, Dembélé credited his teammates for his success. “This is an individual trophy, but all the individual trophies I’ve won are thanks to this team,” he said in a statement issued on Monday by PSG. PSG youngster, Désiré Doué, was also recognised for his performances this season after winning the Best Young Player award. In the coaching category, Pierre Sage was named Coach of the Year after guiding Lens to one of PSG’s closest title challenges during the campaign. Lens also produced the league’s Best Goalkeeper, with Robin Risser taking the award following a string of standout performances. Meanwhile, Michael Olise was named Best French Player Abroad after impressing for Bayern Munich this season. Full list of winners: Best Player: Ousmane Dembélé Best Young Player: Désiré Doué Best Coach: Pierre Sage Best Goalkeeper: Robin Risser Best French Player Abroad: Michael Olise

Real Madrid’s Valverde in Hospital after Tchouameni Clash – Reports

May 7, 2026 by admin

Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde was treated in hospital after a clash with team-mate Aurelien Tchouameni following a training session on Thursday, several Spanish media outlets reported. Uruguay international Valverde, who was accompanied to the hospital facility near the club’s Valdebebas training complex by Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa, needed stitches to treat a facial wound, according to the reports. The two players rowed on Wednesday in training and their argument continued on Thursday during and after the session. Spanish newspaper Marca, who first reported the story, said Valverde’s cut was caused unintentionally and not directly by a punch from France midfielder Tchouameni. Real Madrid and the agents of the two players did not comment when contacted about the incident by AFP. Spanish media reported Valverde refused to shake Tchouameni’s hand and later fouled him in Thursday’s training session, with the pair scrapping afterwards in the dressing room when the injury occurred. Tensions are running high at Real Madrid with the club on the verge of a second consecutive season without a major trophy. Los Blancos visit rivals Barcelona in a La Liga Clasico on Sunday, with the Catalans, 11 points clear at the top, able to clinch back-to-back league titles if they do not lose. AFP

La Liga: Villarreal Coach Set to Leave at End of Season

May 4, 2026 by admin

Villarreal coach Marcelino will leave at the end of the season despite guiding the Yellow Submarines into next season’s Champions League, the club announced on Monday. It is the second year running that the 2021 Europa League winners have qualified for Europe’s top club competition, but Marcelino was unable to agree to an extension with the club, according to local press. The 60-year-old Spaniard is in his second spell at the club, having coached Villarreal from 2013-16 and then rejoined the team in 2023. He took the team away from the relegation zone in 2023/24 and up to an eighth-placed finish, and the following season led Villarreal to fifth and Champions League qualification. Their 5-1 thrashing of Levante on Saturday ensured a top-four finish — they are currently third — and a second consecutive Champions League appearance for the first time. According to the local press, Rayo Vallecano coach Inigo Perez is in the running to succeed Marcelino. Mid-table Vallecano are playing in Europe for only the second time in their history and take a 1-0 first-leg lead into their Europa Conference League semi-final second leg away to Strasbourg on Thursday. AFP

Iran Officials Exit Canada Ahead of FIFA Congress Over Airport ‘Treatment’ — Report

April 29, 2026 by admin

Top Iranian football officials departed Canada ahead of the FIFA Congress after raising concerns over their treatment by immigration authorities at Toronto’s international airport, Iranian media reported on Wednesday. Iran’s football federation president and deputy secretary general “returned to Turkey on the first flight due to the inappropriate behaviour of the immigration officials at the airport and the insult to one of the most honourable organs of the Iranian Armed Forces”, several outlets reported, without providing further details. In 2024, Canada designated Iran’s Revolutionary Guards a terror group, barring its members from entering the country. The Iranian reports said the officials had travelled to Canada with “official visas” before turning around. Canada is co-hosting the 2026 World Cup with the United States and Mexico, while FIFA’s congress is to be held in Vancouver this week. Fears have risen about the Iranian team’s attendance because of the Middle East war that began on February 28 with a massive wave of US-Israel attacks. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio insisted last week that Iran’s footballers would be welcome at the global spectacle. But he warned that the United States may yet bar entry to members of the Iranian delegation it judged to have ties to the Revolutionary Guard, which is also designated a terrorist organisation by Washington and several other governments. No one “from the US has told them they can’t come,” Rubio said. The Iranian football federation (FFIRI) had said in April it was negotiating with FIFA to relocate the country’s World Cup matches from the United States to Mexico. But FIFA President Gianni Infantino told AFP last month that Iran would be at the World Cup and that they will play “where they are supposed to be, according to the draw”. The FIFA chief reiterated that stance in Washington earlier this month. AFP

UCL: Saka on Bench, Madueke starts for Arsenal at Atletico Madrid

April 29, 2026 by admin

Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka has to make do with a place on the bench for his team’s Champions League semi-final clash against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, with Noni Madueke selected on the right flank. England international Saka returned from an Achilles tendon injury as a substitute as the Gunners beat Newcastle to go back top of the Premier League on Saturday. Viktor Gyokeres starts up front for Mikel Arteta’s side at the Metropolitano Stadium, with Kai Havertz out injured. Eberechi Eze is on the bench after a knock and Arteta has opted for Gabriel Martinelli on the left wing, over Leandro Trossard. Like Arsenal, Atletico Madrid have never won the Champions League and Diego Simeone’s side are back in the semi-finals after a nine-year absence. The Argentine coach opted for Ademola Lookman on the left wing after the Nigeria international recovered from a minor niggle. Marcos Llorente starts at right-back with veteran Koke paired with Johnny Cardoso in the centre of midfield. Veteran Antoine Griezmann leads the line for the Rojiblancos alongside Julian Alvarez, recently linked with Arsenal. The second leg will be played in London on Tuesday, May 5. Starting line-ups: Atletico Madrid (4-4-2) Jan Oblak; Marcos Llorente, Marc Pubill, David Hancko, Matteo Ruggeri; Giuliano Simeone, Koke (capt), Johnny Cardoso, Ademola Lookman; Antoine Griezmann, Julian Alvarez Coach: Diego Simeone (ARG) Arsenal (4-3-3) David Raya; Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Piero Hincapie; Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard (capt); Noni Madueke, Viktor Gyokeres, Gabriel Martinelli Coach: Mikel Arteta (ESP) Referee: Danny Makkelie (NED) AFP

EPL: John Stones Announces Man City Departure After 10 Years

April 28, 2026 by admin

England defender ,John Stones has confirmed he will depart Manchester City at the end of the season, drawing the curtain on his 10-year stint with the club. The 31-year-old, whose contract expires this summer, joined City from Everton in 2016 for £47.5 million and went on to become a key figure during one of the most successful periods in the club’s history. During his time at the Etihad Stadium, Stones helped City secure multiple major honours, including six Premier League titles, the UEFA Champions League, two FA Cups, and five League Cups. As reported by BBC Sport on Tuesday, reflecting on his journey, Stones said he had achieved everything he set out to accomplish at the club. “It has been my home for the past 10 years, and it will be my home for the rest of my life. “I lived all my dreams out and lifted all the things that I came here to achieve,” he said. Stones was one of the early signings under manager Pep Guardiola and credited him for playing a major role in his development. He evolved into a versatile defender under Guardiola, even stepping into midfield roles during key matches, including City’s 2023 Champions League triumph. Despite his success, Stones’ later years at City were affected by injuries, limiting his appearances in recent seasons. He featured sparingly in the current campaign but remained an experienced presence within the squad. Stones’ departure marks another significant change in the City squad as the club continues to evolve. He leaves as one of the most decorated defenders in the club’s history, having played a crucial role in their domestic and European dominance. With his exit confirmed, attention will now turn to his next destination as he prepares for the next chapter of his career.

Salah will get Fitting Liverpool Farewell Despite Injury, says Van Dijk

April 27, 2026 by admin

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk is certain Mohamed Salah will get the send-off his glittering career deserves, even if injury prevents the Egyptian from playing again for the Reds. Salah, who will leave Anfield after nine years at the end of the season, was forced off with a suspected hamstring injury in Saturday’s 3-1 win over Crystal Palace. Liverpool are awaiting the results of a scan to determine the extent of the problem, but with just four games of the campaign remaining, the 33-year-old may not feature again this season. “If you get injured at this stage of the season, especially in the situation he is in, there is only two more home games left for him. It’s a combination of feelings that go through your mind,” said Van Dijk. “He will get the send-off regardless. I don’t think that is the thing at this point, we shouldn’t think too far ahead. “Knowing Mo, he is a quick healer and with the right people around him, let’s see.” Salah has scored 257 goals in 440 appearances since his arrival in 2017, behind only Ian Rush and Roger Hunt in Liverpool’s list of leading goalscorers. The winger has been integral to the club’s rise back to the top of English and European football, winning the Champions League and two Premier League titles among a clutch of trophies. Salah also scooped the players’ player of the year award a record three times and was the Premier League’s top scorer on four occasions. AFP

La Liga: Elche Extend Atletico Madrid’s Loss Streak in 3-2 Home Win

April 22, 2026 by admin

Atletico Madrid’s struggles continued on Wednesday as they slipped to a 3–2 defeat against struggling Elche in La Liga, marking their seventh loss in their last eight games across all competitions. The Champions League semi-finalists, who host Arsenal next Wednesday in Europe, could not bounce back from their Copa del Rey final defeat on penalties by Real Sociedad last weekend to build morale. Diego Simeone’s side are comfortable in fourth in La Liga and the coach played mostly a reserve side to rest his star names after the draining cup final. Nicolas Gonzalez struck twice for the visitors but Elche prevailed with a brace from Andre Silva and a goal from David Affengruber, boosting their survival hopes. Argentina winger Gonzalez opened the scoring after Rodri Mendoza backheeled the ball to him on the edge of the box. Elche pulled level when Affengruber prodded past Jan Oblak and then the defender was instrumental in his team’s next goal. Atletico played an hour with 10 men after Thiago Almada was dismissed in the 30th minute for pulling back Affengruber inside the area after losing the ball to the Elche man. Silva sent Oblak the wrong way from the spot to put the hosts ahead, but Atletico levelled almost immediately through a superb effort from Gonzalez. The winger just managed to keep the ball in, lifted it over Elche goalkeeper Matias Dituro and headed home. Affengruber desperately hacked the ball away but a VAR review decided it had crossed the line. Silva won it for Elche with 15 minutes remaining, blasting home from close range after Oblak had saved Affrengruber’s header at a corner and the defender managed to get the ball back into the danger area. Victory takes Elche provisionally 15th, two points above the drop zone. AFP