Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini have been acquitted of all charges against them following a trial at the Federal Criminal Court in Bellinzona.
The former presidents of FIFA and UEFA respectively were last year charged with fraud and other offences by Swiss authorities relating to a payment of 2million Swiss francs made by Blatter to Platini in 2011.
For Blatter, there were charges of fraud, misappropriation, criminal mismanagement and forgery of a document. Platini had been charged with fraud, participating in misappropriation, participating in criminal mismanagement and forgery of a document.
Both men had denied any wrongdoing and the court found in their favour on Friday.
Blatter was awarded CHF 82,000 to cover his defence costs and CHF 20,000 in compen…
Tottenham are gearing up for their first Champions League campaign in three seasons with momentum on their side and expectation levels high.
A large part of that is down to head coach Antonio Conte, who guided Spurs back into Europe s elite club competition in his first half-season in charge of the north London club.
Conte boasts a CV that is the envy of many managers around the world, the Italian having won eight major trophies during his coaching career, including five top-level league titles in two countries.
But Conte s domestic success has not transferred onto the European stage, having exited the Champions League in the group stage more times than he has advanced, despite managing some of the continent s elite clubs.
Ahead of Tottenham s Group D op…
Football loves a redemption story, and it s fair to say Granit Xhaka is living one right now.
You don t have to cast your mind back too far to recall a time when the Switzerland international was practically persona non grata at Arsenal – in the fans eyes, anyway.
Red cards, becoming a scapegoat, falling out with the supporters in the most public way imaginable: Xhaka s Arsenal career has rarely been straightforward.
And yet, as Mikel Arteta s Gunners prepare to make something of a title statement against Liverpool on Sunday, Xhaka knows his will be one of the first names on the team, and deservedly so.
It serves to highlight his unlikely return from the brink.
The problems
Xhaka arrived at Arsenal with a reputation as a clever but comba…
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In what promises to be a heavyweight friendly showdown in the early hours of Wednesday, Manchester City and Barcelona will meet in Orlando.
Manchester City
Starting with Manchester City, making real history last season as they got their hands on a record-breaking fourth consecutive Premier League title, the Sky Blues are looking once again establish themselves as England’s elite. Suffering just a pair of top-flight defeats last season, Pep Guardiola’s men have continued to gain a fearsome reputation from across the continent. However, suffering FA Cup final heartbreak on May 25th as they fell to a 2-1 loss at the hands of bitter local rivals Manchester United, the former Barcelona boss is calling on his superstar squad to make a su…
Luis Enrique is sorry after Spain s early exit at the 2022 World Cup led to him leaving his position as head coach on Thursday.
After a goalless 90 minutes and extra-time period against Morocco on Tuesday, 2010 champions Spain were dumped out on penalties in a huge shock.
Luis Enrique s contract was due to expire at the end of the tournament in Qatar, and the Royal Football Federation (RFEF) confirmed on Thursday he would not stay on as head coach.
The RFEF subsequently announced Luis de la Fuente is set to take over the role, having previously been in charge of Spain s Under-21 side.
In a statement released on Thursday, Luis Enrique spoke of his gratitude to those who had helped him in his time as Spain boss, while imploring supporters to get behind De L…
Verdict: AH Bayern Munich (-1.5)
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Following an impressive midweek Champions League record-breaking performance against Dinamo Zagreb, Bayern Munich travels to Bremen to consolidate its Bundesliga leader position. The game plays on Saturday at Weserstadion in front of 40000 fans keen to see their favourites break the deadlock and defeat the German Giants, a feat last achieved two decades ago (2006).
Werder Bremen
Ending their previous campaign with an emphatic home win against Bochum (4-1), Werder Bremen was disappointed to miss out on the Conference League spot at goal difference. Starting the new season preparation earlier in July, the hosts failed to make an impression when playing against Championship sides Sheff Wednesday…
Barcelona are interested in signing Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Fabian Ruiz in the summer transfer window, according to . The report has claimed Barcelona are keen on a deal for Kimmich, but they have identified Ruiz as a potential alternative.
Ruiz is one of the best midfielders in the world and has been on the books of PSG since the summer of 2022 when he joined from Napoli. The 28-year-old has been superb for the French giants and is one of the first names on the teamsheet for PSG.
Barcelona are at the top of the La Liga table at the moment with 12 points from four matches, four points ahead of Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Villarreal, who are second, third and fourth respectively in the standings. Meanwhile, PSG currently find themselves at the top of the Ligu…
England continued their unbeaten run in European Championship qualification with a 2-0 win over Malta.
The Three Lions opened the scoring in the eighth minute when Enrico Pepe put through his own goal.
Many supporters inside Wembley Stadium would have imagined a few more goals but they were made to wait till the 75th minute before they saw another when Harry Kane netted from close range to seal victory.
Elsewhere in Group C, Italy boosted their chances of making Euro 2024 with a 5-2 win over North Macedonia.
Matteo Darmian opened the scoring for the Italians before Federico Chiesa gave them a healthy advantage thanks to his brace before the interval.
But, Italy were made to sweat in the second half when Jani Atanasov scored twice to reduce the def…
Erik ten Hag says Jadon Sancho’s progress and potential is one of the reasons Manchester United have a “good base” to kick on from next season.
The 23-year-old arrived at Old Trafford from Borussia Dortmund in 2021 in a £73million deal following a prolonged pursuit.
Sancho has shown flashes of his outstanding talent but has yet to fully live up to the billing, with the United winger falling out of the England reckoning as a result.
Ten Hag has worked carefully with Sancho, who went on an individual winter fitness programme in the Netherlands rather than travel to the squad’s World Cup camp in Spain.
Champions League secured! Great team win tonight, much deserved, fans were amazing! Have a good night Reds!
— Jadon Sancho (@Sanchooo10) <…
West Ham United are interested in signing Tammy Abraham from AS Roma in the summer transfer window, according to . The report in the Italian news outlet has claimed that Premier League club West Ham has offered £26 million to Serie A outfit Roma for Abraham.
The report has claimed that AS Roma head coach Daniele De Rossi does not have a place for Abraham in his team. Artem Dovbyk and Matias Soule have joined the Italian club, which means that Abraham will struggle to get into the starting lineup.
Abraham has been on the books of Roma since 2021 when he joined from Premier League club Chelsea. The 26-year-old England international striker, who has been on loan at Bristol City, Swansea City and Aston Villa in the past, scored one goal in two starts and six substitute app…