Tag: FC Barcelona

  • LaLiga: FC Barcelona appoint former star Deco as new sporting director

    On Wednesday, 16 August, 2023, LaLiga champions FC Barcelona introduced the appointment of Deco as their new sporting director. The former Portugal and Barcelona playmaker, who was instrumental in serving to the membership safe the 2006 Champions League title, has signed a three-year contract with the Spanish giants.

    Born in Brazil, Deco isn’t any stranger to Barcelona, having performed for the membership between 2004 and 2008. During his tenure, he scored 20 objectives and offered 45 assists in 161 appearances. His return to the membership is marked by anticipation and pleasure, as he’s famend for his potential to find new expertise, a ability that will likely be essential in his new position.

    As the brand new sporting director, Deco will likely be accountable for shaping FC Barcelona’s sporting philosophy. He will work carefully with the coach, Xavi, and his workers to assemble the squad, successfully changing into the pinnacle of the soccer division. His major focus will likely be to bolster the squad through the present switch window, a activity he has already begun.

    Deco will change Mateu Alemany, the outgoing director of soccer. Alemany will proceed to serve the membership till the top of the present switch window in September. Barcelona has said that Alemany and Deco will collaborate till the switch window closes, guaranteeing a easy transition of duties.

    The membership additionally revealed that within the coming weeks, it could launch particulars in regards to the new FC Barcelona sporting construction. This announcement is eagerly awaited, as it would present insights into the membership’s strategic path below Deco’s management.

    Barcelona’s current signings mirror the membership’s dedication to strengthening its squad. This season, they welcomed veteran midfielder Ilkay Gundogan from Manchester City. However, the membership additionally noticed some departures, with Ousmane Dembélé transferring to Paris Saint-Germain and Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba becoming a member of Lionel Messi at Inter Miami after the season ended.

    Despite these modifications, Barcelona’s monetary well being stays a priority. The membership was unable to deliver again both Messi or Neymar, two of its former star gamers. In this context, Deco’s position turns into much more crucial. His experience and connections could possibly be pivotal in securing key signings, corresponding to Portugal defender João Cancelo from Manchester City.

    As Barcelona begins the protection of its Spanish league title, the membership’s efficiency on the sphere will likely be carefully watched. Their first match resulted in a 0-0 draw towards Getafe, and they’re set to host Cadiz subsequent Sunday. With Deco on the helm of the sporting division, the membership’s followers and stakeholders will likely be hoping for a profitable season and a vivid future.

    Edited By:

    Kingshuk Kusari

    Published On:

    Aug 16, 2023

  • Barcelona allowed to play Champions League amidst refreeing scandal: UEFA

    By India Today Sports Desk: The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has provisionally authorised Barcelona’s participation within the upcoming Champions League season, regardless of ongoing investigations right into a refereeing scandal involving the Spanish membership. The allegations, filed by Spanish prosecutors in March, concern funds amounting to 7.3 million euros ($8.02 million) made by Barcelona to firms owned by former refereeing official Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira between 2001 and 2018.

    A court docket in Barcelona has agreed to research the case, and UEFA has additionally initiated a proper investigation into potential violations of its authorized framework by the membership. In a press release, UEFA mentioned, “FC Barcelona is provisionally admitted to take part in the 2023-24 UEFA club competitions. A future decision on admission/exclusion from the UEFA club competitions is reserved.”

    The soccer governing physique additional said that Barcelona should maintain the Ethics and Disciplinary Inspectors (EDI) up to date on the progress of the continued investigations and supply all requested paperwork and data. The EDIs have been instructed to proceed their investigation and submit an extra report back to the UEFA Appeals Body in the event that they deem it essential to reassess Barcelona’s admission or exclusion.

    Barcelona, who have been eradicated on the group stage of final season’s Champions League and subsequently knocked out of the Europa League by Manchester United, have gained the Champions League 5 occasions, with their most up-to-date victory in 2015.

    FC Barcelona have been hit with a number of controversies over the previous few years, which have largely been monetary in nature. Barcelona have been hit with a recent controversy throughout their rebuild final yr, being accused of paying off referees. The membership this yr offloaded a number of very long time gamers – Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba to be able to revamp their monetary standing.

  • LaLiga: FC Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele injured weeks forward of Europa League conflict vs Manchester United

    Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele was pressured to stroll off the pitch within the first half of the staff’s 1-0 win in opposition to Girona. While Barcelona prolonged their lead on the prime of LaLiga, they took an enormous hit with the in-form participant’s harm.

    New Delhi,UPDATED: Jan 29, 2023 12:09 IST

    File photograph of Ousmane Dembele in motion for FC Barcelona. (Reuters Photo)

    By India Today Web Desk: FC Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele was pressured to hobble off the pitch within the first half of the staff’s LaLiga recreation in opposition to Girona on Saturday night, 28 January. Dembele couldn’t proceed past the 26-minute mark within the recreation and requested to be substituted. It was an enormous blow for Barcelona who’re pushing for the LaLiga title this season and are to tackle Manchester United within the Europa League on 16 February.

    “Test this evening on Ousmane Dembélé have revealed that he has strained the rectus femoris muscle in his left thigh. It means he is side-lined until the can recover from the injury,” the membership mentioned in a press release.

    After 26 minutes he was changed by Pedri, who went on to attain the one purpose of the sport.

    “The Frenchman has displayed exceptional form in the 27 games that he played in this season, scoring six goals and delivering seven assists. He has been one of the consistently picked players by Xavi Hernández,” the membership assertion lauded the consistency of the French winger who was additionally a livewire for the nationwide staff through the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

    LATEST NEWS | Tests carried out this night on Ousmane Dembélé have proven that he has a rectus femoris harm in his left thigh. He is out and his restoration will decide his availability. pic.twitter.com/hG8WskAla3
    — FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) January 28, 2023

    FC Barcelona presently have 47 factors from 18 matches and are 6 factors away from Real Madrid who’re within the second place. The defending champions have performed 17 matches and are to play the reverse fixture in opposition to the league leaders in March.

    Edited By:

    Kingshuk Kusari

    Published On:

    Jan 29, 2023

  • Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti blames FIFA World Cup for Villarreal loss: Players not at prime kind

    Real Madrid fell again within the La Liga race in opposition to FC Barcelona after dropping 2-1 to Villarreal. Manager Carlo Ancelotti blamed the loss on FIFA World Cup fatigue.

    New Delhi,UPDATED: Jan 10, 2023 23:26 IST

    Real Madrid have fallen again within the LaLiga race after the season restart. (Reuters Photo)

    By India Today Web Desk: LaLiga champions Real Madrid are nonetheless struggling to get again to peak health after the season was paused for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, supervisor Carlo Ancelotti stated on Tuesday forward of their Spanish Super League conflict in Saudi Arabia.

    The Italian is making ready his aspect for his or her Spanish Super Cup semi-final in opposition to Valencia on Wednesday, 11 January however has to evoke his gamers after they misplaced 2-1 to Villarreal in LaLiga on the weekend.

    Ancelotti stated that he’s making an attempt to make changes accordingly because of the distinctive expertise of getting a mid-season World Cup.

    “It was foreseeable that (the players) would not be at the top-form at the moment, yet we are seeing positive signs in the (training) sessions,” Ancelotti advised a information convention in Riyadh.

    “I was surprised at Villarreal. We have to start doing things well again, I’m not saying work, because we don’t have time to work.

    “This staff is aware of tips on how to defend very effectively, up entrance now we have the mandatory high quality, however now we have to supply help with a extra stable base.”

    After holders Real meet Valencia on Wednesday, Barcelona face Real Betis on Thursday to fight it out for the other spot in Sunday’s final.

    Real travelled on Monday without defensive midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni and centre back David Alaba, as both have undisclosed injuries that leave them light in defence – already an area where the team have struggled.

    “The defensive facet just isn’t one among high quality, however of mentality and sacrifice,” Ancelotti said.

    “We are used to having a compact, stable block. I’m satisfied that we’ll see it once more quickly.

    “I don’t see a mental load on the players. Sure, we’re hurt for what happened at Villarreal, but we have to see how the team reacts.”

    Edited By:

    Kingshuk Kusari

    Published On:

    Jan 10, 2023

  • Barcelona star Jordi Alba names Pedri, Gavi and Ansu Fati as stars of the 2022 version of FIFA World Cup

    FIFA World Cup 2022: Spain left-back Jordi Alba mentioned that Spain have a whole lot of younger expertise going into the event. He has praised the squad for his or her high quality of soccer and has title gamers to be careful for on this World Cup.

    New Delhi,UPDATED: Nov 14, 2022 20:22 IST

    File photograph of Ansu Fati taking part in for FC Barcelona. (Courtesy: Reuters)

    By India Today Web Desk: FC Barcelona star Jordi Alba is assured of their closing 26-man squad going into the FIFA World Cup, scheduled to be performed in Qatar, from 20 November. Spain have lot of expertise at their disposal and Alba, who is likely one of the oldest gamers within the outfit, mentioned that youth is likely one of the key options on this squad.

    “Luckily, we’ve got a lot of players who are aiming very high. Pedri, Gavi, Eric and Ansu are the ones I’d point out because I know them the best, obviously. I think everyone knows how good they are, but there are a lot of young players at other clubs who are developing fast and who’ve already shown what they’re capable of in the national team,” Alba mentioned, naming his 4 FC Barcelona teammates.

    Spain gained the trophy in 2010, courtesy a solitary objective over Netherlands. The outdated guard of Spanish soccer, the Iniestas, Xavis have retired from world soccer. The new blood in Spanish soccer has proven a whole lot of promise, controlling the tempo of the sport and bursting into blistering counter-attacks if essential. Speaking in regards to the crew’s possibilities within the World Cup, Alba mentioned that they’ve very distinctive opponents.

    “Every team you come up against in a World Cup is tough, from the group phase through to the Final, and it’s going to be no different this time around. They’re different sides with very unique ways of playing the game, and we’re sure they’ll give the best possible account of themselves and try to have a good group phase. One of the most important things when it comes to World Cups is to take a good close look at the opposition,” Alba mentioned.

    He additional added on the technique employed by Spain in between the World Cups and mentioned that the crew likes to assault.

    “We always pull in the same direction, whoever we play. Whether it’s been in the EUROs, the Nations League or the World Cup qualifiers, we’ve always been a team that likes to be on the front foot and to attack, while staying as compact as it can. The coach has got his ideas very clear in his head and that helps you put them into practice in the best possible way,” Alba concluded.

    Edited By:

    Kingshuk Kusari

    Published On:

    Nov 14, 2022

  • Champions League: FC Barcelona supervisor Xavi needs to point out crew’s true price in opposition to Bayern Munich

    Champions League: FC Barcelona supervisor Xavi needs his crew to play to their full potential of their last group stage recreation in opposition to Bayern Munich. Barcelona have a slim likelihood of going by to the subsequent stage, however for that they need to win first.

    Barcelona,UPDATED: Oct 25, 2022 23:41 IST

    File photograph of Xavi. (Courtesy: Reuters)

    By India Today Web Desk: FC Barcelona are set to face Bayern Munich of their last group stage recreation within the Champions League. This may very well be Xavi’s last Champions League recreation of the season as they could be knocked out of the competitors within the group levels itself – for the second yr in a row.

    The crew depends on the Viktoria Plzen who need to defeat Inter Milan of their last group stage recreation for Barcelona to undergo to the group of dying. Xavi needs his crew to play fearless soccer and has mentioned that he want to see the true character of FC Barcelona of their final group stage recreation.

    “We have to show ourselves that even if we are knocked out (of the Champions League) we are a good team and we can compete against the best teams out there,” Xavi advised a information convention on Tuesday.

    “That game in Munich was a disgrace because we deserved much more. That was an accident because we lacked the final touch.
    Even though Barcelona had more possession than Bayern and outshot them 18-13, the German side scored twice in four minutes against the run of play to secure the win,” Xavi additional added.

    FC Barcelona will hope to anticipate one thing extraordinary from the Milan match and pray for a beneficial outcome in opposition to Bayern, who they haven’t defeated in an extended very long time.

    “I don’t like to talk about miracles… we have a small hope. Though we are in a very uncomfortable situation.

    “The numbers are all in opposition to us. But … sudden issues can occur.”

    Barcelona, who also exited the tournament following the group stage last season, suffered another setback when they were handed a 3-1 defeat by Real Madrid in this month’s El Clasico.

    Xavi said that he and his players will watch the Inter game together in the changing room, but refused to send a message to the Viktoria Plzen players ahead of the match.

    “I have already got an excessive amount of in hand to start out taking part in the coach of different groups,” Xavi laughed.

    “We haven’t been on the stage that we wished in some video games. I’ve the sensation that we (at occasions we) had it in our fingers and now it’s not as much as us. So we face this example solely due to our personal errors.”

    Edited By:

    Kingshuk Kusari

    Published On:

    Oct 25, 2022

  • Ousmane Dembele is able to nice issues, says Xavi after Barcelona beat Athletic Club 4-0

    FC Barcelona supervisor has praised Ousmane Dembele for his gorgeous efficiency towards Athletic Club. Dembele scored one objective and put in three assists within the sport.

    Barcelona,UPDATED: Oct 24, 2022 18:11 IST

    Ousmane Dembele in motion vs Athletic Club. (Courtesy: Reuters)

    By India Today Web Desk: FC Barcelona put out an attacking masterclass towards Athletic Bilbao, defeating them 4-0 at Camp Nou. The group was carried by winger Ousmane Dembele, who scored one objective and supplied three assists in one in every of his greatest video games for the membership, since his arrival from Borussia Dortmund in 2017.

    Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez stated Ousmane Dembele might go on to realize “great things” after he scored a objective and arrange three others of their 4-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao.

    The France worldwide opened the scoring within the twelfth minute with a towering header earlier than offering assists for Sergi Roberto, Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres.

    Dembele has handled quite a few accidents since arriving from Borussia Dortmund in 2017 for a switch payment of 105 million euros and has courted controversies over his wage calls for amongst different issues. He was out of contract on the finish of the final season however signed a two-year deal in July to remain on.

    “Football is about making decisions, and you’re either right or not, and Ousmane was right today. He knows how to play the game,” Xavi instructed reporters.

    “He’s a great winger when he’s close to the (sideline). Sometimes he performs better and sometimes he doesn’t, and today was a great day for him.

    “He must attempt to be extra constant in each sport. That’s why I pushed the membership to re-sign him, as a result of he is able to nice issues.”

    Barcelona host Bayern Munich within the Champions League on Wednesday, a sport they must win to stay within the Champions League. This may find yourself turning into Barcelona’s remaining sport within the Champions League shortly if Inter Milan win their subsequent fixture towards Viktoria Plzen. The membership will then be demoted to the Europa League for the second time in two years.

    Edited By:

    Kingshuk Kusari

    Published On:

    Oct 24, 2022

  • The man who guess on Neymar desires his cash

    Delcir Sonda nonetheless remembers the second he first noticed the boy. Years earlier than he would develop as much as change into one of many greatest stars within the greatest sport on this planet, years earlier than anybody exterior of his local people in São Vicente — a dormitory city for the close by port of Santos — had heard his title, Sonda seen Neymar enjoying soccer in a cage.

    It was an opportunity encounter. Sonda was boating with some mates one Sunday afternoon within the mid-2000s when he noticed a bunch of boys enjoying on a tough floor inside a fenced enclosure. Intrigued, he requested his mates to cease so he might take a more in-depth look.

    “There was one kid there that was just totally different to the others,” Sonda stated of Neymar, who would have been 11 or 12 years previous on the time. “He got stuck in my head. I never imagined that this kid would one day become my player.”

    Years later, they might cross paths once more: Neymar, a budding star about to change into the main target of an intercontinental bidding struggle, and Sonda, a grocery store magnate who had fronted Neymar and his household hundreds of thousands of {dollars} in what he believed was a sure-thing funding within the participant’s prodigious soccer expertise.

    That relationship is about to come back beneath scrutiny in a Spanish court docket on Monday, when a trial begins over one of the infamous transfers in soccer historical past: the 2013 deal that took Neymar to the Spanish membership Barcelona.

    Neymar and his father Neymar Santos Sr contained in the court docket room . ( Reuters)

    What’s the trial about? Money, largely, though the official expenses contain corruption and fraud. In his lawsuit, Sonda has solid Neymar, his dad and mom, two of his former groups and several other outstanding soccer executives as architects of an elaborate scheme that defrauded him out of tens of hundreds of thousands of {dollars}.

    But the case can be about damaged guarantees, dangerous blood and the darkish aspect of a $7 billion-a-year market by which the world’s richest soccer groups, aided by a community of brokers, middlemen and buyers, commerce gamers like commodities: multimillion-dollar valuations made from flesh and blood and goals.

    Neymar’s legal professionals have stated the Spanish authorities lack jurisdiction to listen to the case. Barcelona declined to remark for this text.

    A wealthy man when he made the deal in 2009, Sonda is in search of at the least $35 million, the determine he says he’s owed in line with the phrases of his authentic funding in Neymar’s financial rights. But Sonda doesn’t actually need the cash, he admitted, and he doesn’t significantly appear to care if Neymar and his dad and mom wind up in jail, or if the trial disrupts Brazil’s run-up to the World Cup.

    All he desires, he stated in an interview in his workplace excessive above São Paulo, is the reality.

    Roots of a Scandal

    Santos, the Brazilian group that grew to become well-known greater than half a century in the past due to its star, Pelé, was in a bind in 2009. It desperately wanted an inflow of cash, numerous it, with a view to preserve Neymar, then 17, on the membership lengthy sufficient to wow the crowds at Vila Belmiro, its chocolate field stadium, whereas it negotiated the sale of his rights for the massive revenue it knew he would convey.

    Like most different Brazilian groups of the period, Santos feared shedding the teenage Neymar earlier than he had even performed a sport for the membership’s first group. The participant’s father, Neymar Sr., had already ensured that his son was well-known in elite soccer circles; when Neymar was solely 14, his father had taken him to Real Madrid in Spain for a month of coaching.

    Neymar’s performances there shortly created a market — Real Madrid organized a medical examination for him, and a contract was reportedly ready — however Santos, citing FIFA rules on the time, demanded that he return to Brazil. (Neymar later stated it had been his selection to come back dwelling). Santos knew it had a uncommon prize, however so did Neymar’s household. So a curious association was secured: Santos supplied Neymar management of 40% of his financial rights — the switch charge {that a} larger group would finally need to pay Santos to accumulate him — in alternate for a bit extra time.

    The excellent news, Santos stated, was that the membership had a purchaser for these rights lined up: Sonda, who together with his brother had agreed to pay 5 million reais, then about $2 million, to Neymar and his household for the 40% that was on supply.

    Delcir Sonda, a grocery store magnate, stated that after investing hundreds of thousands in Neymar, he didn’t obtain any returns. (Victor Moriyama for The New York Times)

    “They got rich from night to day,” the 74-year-old Sonda stated in an interview with The New York Times, pointing on the mahogany desk in his Twenty fourth-floor workplace the place the contract was signed.

    By then, males like Sonda had change into worthwhile parts of the Brazilian soccer ecosystem. With golf equipment mired in a seemingly everlasting state of economic disaster, they needed to provide you with artistic options to take care of their squads. Enter the empresarios — the businessmen.

    To entice their finest younger gamers to remain even simply one other 12 months or two, groups would divide their financial rights and promote these items to buyers for normal injections of money.

    Sonda additionally invested in different golf equipment, although, notably Internacional, his favourite group. Internacional was primarily based in Rio Grande do Sul, the southern state the place Sonda’s Italian grandparents had immigrated, the place he and his 5 brothers had been born, and the place the household’s grocery store empire started as a neighborhood provider of beans.

    The Sondas had been their very own form of success story: The household opened its first grocery store in 1974. Today, there are 40, a part of an organization that employs greater than 15,000 staff.

    As the household’s fortunes expanded, Sonda and his brother Idi had been inspired to diversify into soccer. In 2004, they arrange an organization named DIS — for his or her first initials and the household title — to purchase shares in gamers.

    The Golden Boy

    Neymar Jr. was all the time destined for stardom. Within two years of his debut for Santos as a 17-year-old in 2009, he was shut sufficient to the touch it. Even earlier than he had performed a sport, although, the maneuvering for management of his future was taking form.

    Money had all the time been a stress level within the relationship with Neymar’s household, Sonda stated. Before agreeing to the unique cope with DIS, Sonda stated, Neymar Sr. had enlisted Wagner Ribeiro, then one in every of Brazil’s prime brokers, to attempt to extract the next worth. Ribeiro advised that different golf equipment and different bidders, together with Chelsea’s then-owner Roman Abramovich, had been additionally within the 40% stake in Neymar. The worth, Ribeiro implied, ought to be increased.

    The talks went on till midnight earlier than Sonda had sufficient. He would pay not more than his authentic supply of about $2 million. The negotiations, he stated, had been over. The subsequent day, Neymar and his dad and mom got here to Sonda’s wood-paneled workplace and signed the paperwork.

    For Sonda, the primary inkling that one thing was amiss got here a 12 months or so after Neymar had began enjoying for the Santos first group. Until then, Sonda recalled, he had acquired common invites to play pool and eat pizza with Neymar and his household after video games on the dwelling Neymar had purchased with a few of the $2 million he had acquired. By 2011, although, he started to note the presence of different company, together with Pini Zahavi, the Israeli agent identified for brokering a few of the greatest trades in soccer. “He started appearing because he wanted to take him to England,” Sonda stated of Zahavi.

    At the identical time, in line with Sonda, Neymar’s father had begun asking Sonda to promote again his son’s financial rights. Neymar Sr.’s affords saved rising, finally reaching 8 million euros, Sonda stated. “‘You already made a lot,’” Sonda recalled him saying.

    Cashing in his funding on a budget, although, was “an indecent proposal,” Sonda stated. He had already seen information experiences that European groups, together with Real Madrid, had been prepared to pay as a lot as 70 million euros for Neymar. That form of charge would have meant practically 30 million euros for DIS — a return of 15 instances what the Sondas’ firm had invested in 2009.

    At Santos, the stakes had been rising, too. The membership had already renegotiated Neymar’s contract. Now, it bowed to a requirement from Neymar Sr. to supply a letter empowering him to barter his son’s switch worth with different groups, despite the fact that Neymar Jr. was nonetheless beneath contract with Santos.

    Armed with the letter — the legality of which DIS disputes, however a doc required beneath FIFA’s guidelines — Neymar Sr. and a bunch of brokers secured conferences with a few of the world’s greatest groups: Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid.

    In the spring of 2013, Santos blinked: Worried it’d lose its prize asset for nothing, it agreed to promote Neymar’s rights to Barcelona for the discounted worth of 17.1 million euros (about $22.5 million on the time). (File)

    Behind the scenes, although, in a deal that neither Santos nor DIS would pay attention to till years later, Neymar Sr. and Barcelona had already come to an settlement.

    In it, the membership agreed to pay 10 million euros instantly to an organization arrange by Neymar’s dad and mom, after which 30 million extra as soon as Neymar signed with Barcelona on the finish of his Santos contract in 2013. A penalty clause requiring the return of your entire 40 million euros ensured Neymar wouldn’t change his thoughts.

    DIS wrote to Barcelona, demanding to know if rumors of a deal for Neymar had been true. The membership denied that it had an settlement, Sonda stated. (Barcelona declined to touch upon Sonda’s rivalry; the Neymar switch has beforehand brought about authorized issues for the group, and each the membership and two of its former presidents are defendants within the coming trial.)

    In the spring of 2013, Santos blinked: Worried it’d lose its prize asset for nothing, it agreed to promote Neymar’s rights to Barcelona for the discounted worth of 17.1 million euros (about $22.5 million on the time). Just a few ancillary agreements sweetened the deal barely, and the complete worth for Neymar — greater than $100 million — emerged solely after a Barcelona member took the membership to court docket.

    But as a result of none of Barcelona’s secret funds to Neymar’s household had been a part of the official switch worth, Sonda’s firm was reduce out of what it says was its rightful share. In the tip, DIS acquired solely 6.8 million euros.

    “They sold my 40% to Barcelona,” Sonda fumed. “They cheated me.”

    Baker McKenzie, the regulation agency representing Neymar, declined to debate specifics of the case. It has, nonetheless, dismissed the very foundation of Sonda’s lawsuit, in addition to the Spanish court docket’s jurisdiction, as a result of the switch concerned Brazilian nationals and happened in Brazil. In that nation, the agency has identified, corruption between people shouldn’t be against the law.

    The End Game

    Neymar is required to attend at the least the primary day of the trial on Monday, the Spanish court docket has dominated, which might make for an ungainly reunion of the 2 sides.

    At a preliminary listening to in Madrid in 2016, Neymar claimed to not know Sonda. That stung, Sonda stated, recalling the times of postgame pizzas, barbecues and the occasional video games of pool. Paulo Nasser, one in every of Sonda’s legal professionals, rebutted the participant’s declare by pulling out his cellphone to indicate a photograph of Neymar smiling beside his father and Idi Sonda. The photograph was taken at Idi Sonda’s seaside home within the resort city of Guarujá.

    Along with Spanish prosecutors, Delcir Sonda is in search of hundreds of thousands in damages in addition to jail sentences for Neymar, his dad and mom and several other executives implicated within the case. But he insisted the case was not about cash. At 74 and already rich, he stated, he’s in search of solely to proper a mistaken.

    Barcelona officers have reached out a number of instances over time to attempt to resolve the dispute, and have even traveled to his dwelling, he stated. But he has all the time rebuffed them. “I could have accepted their money, but it’s not important,” he stated. “I need to know what happened.”

  • Champions League draw: Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan in Group C, PSG and Juventus in Group H

    The UEFA Champions League draw was introduced on Thursday, 25 August in Istanbul, ticking off one more season of Europe’s prime flight soccer. 32 groups have been divided into eight teams because the balls rolled into the pots to match them towards each other.

    The attracts season is beneficial for many of the prime groups for the time being, however as it’s with soccer, it’s onerous to inform what is going to occur until the ultimate whistle of the sport. FC Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Intern Milan have been drawn within the ‘Group of Death’ this time round, with Group C together with Czech Republic’s Viktoria Plzen as effectively.

    Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi and Neymar’s Paris Saint-Germain have been drawn with Juventus and Benfica within the Group H, one that might boost as effectively. Defending Champions Real Madrid can be up towards RB Leipzig, Shakhtar Donetsk, Celtic and are anticipated to prime their group stage to get into the knockout phases of the event.

    There is extra pleasure on playing cards when Manchester City star Erling Haaland faces his former workforce Borussia Dortmund. Courtesy to the draw of Group C, Robert Lewandowski goes to be up towards his former workforce Bayern as effectively.

    The Champions League group stage begins on September 6 this season.

    Here are the Groups for this season

    GROUP A

    Ajax Amsterdam, Liverpool, Napoli, Rangers

    GROUP B

    FC Porto, Atletico Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, Club Brugge

    GROUP C

    Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Viktoria Plzen

    GROUP D

    Eintracht Frankfurt, Tottenham Hotspur, Sporting Lisbon, Olympique Marseille

    GROUP E

    AC Milan, Chelsea, RB Salzburg, Dinamo Zagreb

    GROUP F

    Real Madrid, RB Leipzig, Shakhtar Donetsk, Celtic

    GROUP G

    Manchester City, Sevilla, Borussia Dortmund, FC Copenhagen

    GROUP H

    Paris St Germain, Juventus, Benfica, Maccabi Haifa

    — ENDS —

  • LaLiga: FC Barcelona mortgage out younger midfielder Nico Gonzalez to Valencia for 2022/23 season

    FC Barcelona midfielder Nico Gonzalez prolonged his contract with the membership however selected to get loaned out to Valencia for extra game-time.

    Nico Gonzalez in motion towards Juventus within the pre-season. (Courtesy: Reuters)

    HIGHLIGHTSNico Gonzalez is extremely rated and has a brand new buyout clause of 1 billion eurosNico Gonzalez selected to depart after Xavi saved Miralem Pjanic on the membershipBarcelona managed to register all of their new signings barring Jules Kounde

    Promising younger expertise Nico Gonzalez selected to get loaned out to Valencia over the unsuriey of sport time at FC Barcelona, proper earlier than the beginning of the season. The 20-year-old Gonzalez was extremely rated after he debuted underneath membership legend Ronald Koeman earlier within the final season, nonetheless, his sport time was reduce quick as soon as Xavi took over within the second half.

    The contract negotiations between FC Barcelona and Nico had been stalled for some time. Rumours had been floating within the Spanish media that the participant and his entourage had been ghosting the membership administration over the scenario.

    Barcelona, on Saturday, 13 August revealed that Nico Gonzalez had agreed to a contract extension, however that the will probably be taking part in this season on mortgage at Valencia as he seeks assured taking part in time. The membership additional revealed that the one-season mortgage deal doesn’t embody a purchase order possibility for Valencia.

    The 20-year-old Nico agreed so as to add two years to his contract and is now linked to Barcelona via 2026.
    Xavi stated on Friday that he had wished Nico to remain, however the participant had requested a mortgage transfer in order that he might play extra.

    In the meantime, the membership has managed to register most of its participant after activating the fourth financial lever. Only defender Jules Kounde stays to be registered among the many new signings, for which FC Barcelona both have to cut back wage additional, or present proof of earnings. The membership performs their first towards Rayo Vallecano on Saturday, 13 August.

    — ENDS —