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PARIS — Paris Saint-Germain coach Unai Emery is leaving the club at the end of the season, the latest to pay the price for failing to lead the team to the European glory its owners crave so much. Emery joined PSG from Sevilla two years ago on a two-year contract, which will not be extended. […]
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TORONTO — Canadian international Scott Arfield is set to leave Burnley for Glasgow Rangers.
Burnley manager Sean Dyche confirmed the move and the Scottish Sun reported that Arfield, whose contract with the English Premier League side expires at the end of the season, has agreed to a three-year deal with Rangers. Scottish reports say Rangers plan to announce Arfield’s signing before Sunday’s Old Firm clash at Celtic.
"Rangers contacted the club, through the right channels, to speak about Scotty," said Dyche, who brought Arfield to Burnley. "He wanted a new challenge and the Rangers’ one is an inviting one for him. He was a Rangers fan as a kid and also this a really good opportunity for him."
A native of Livingston, Scotland, Arfield qualifies to play for Canada through his Toronto-born father. Arfield’s grandfather was in the military and was briefly stationed in Canada.
The 29-year-old Arfield debuted for Canada in March 2016 and has won 12 caps for Canada.
Dyche called Arfield "a big part of our successes."
"Scotty has been an amazing servant to us, the way he conducts himself as a professional, the way he is around the community when needed to be, and then on the pitch he has been a very important player for the number of years he’s been with us," Dyche was quoted on the Burnley website.
"We are always respectful of our players and we’re not going to jeopardize anything in their future if something that comes along that’s to their benefit and Scotty feels this one is."
With the World Cup 50 days away, we take a look at some of the key dates that you need to know about.
The World Cup Final will take place on the 15th June (Getty Images) With the World Cup 50 days away, we take a look at some of the key dates that you need to know about, including England's matches
LIVERPOOL, England — Police say two men from Rome have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following an assault before a Champions League game that left a Liverpool fan in critical condition. The injured 53-year-old man is being treated in the hospital after being caught up in what Merseyside Police say was an “altercation” […]
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Coaching a major European club would be the logical next step for Brazil's coach
Inspired: New coach Tite inspired Brazil to top their qualification group (Getty Images) Coaching a major European club would be the logical next step for Brazil's coach
Only 180 minutes separate the Champions League semifinalists from a final in Kiev, Ukraine. What makes these matchups in the semis even more enticing are the storylines.
The major theme surrounds Mohamed Salah facing Roma for the first time since his transfer to Liverpool in the summer. Then there is Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, who have a number of players who have represented both sides. Jupp Heynckes, now the coach of Bayern, also won the Champions League with Madrid back in 1998.
With so much riding on these semifinals, here is a crash course on each matchup.
Liverpool vs. RomaPotential Liverpool XI (4-3-3): Karius; Alexander-Arnold, Lovren, Van Dijk, Robertson; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Henderson, Milner; Salah, Firmino, Mane.
Potential Roma XI (3-4-1-2): Alisson; Manolas, Fazio, Jesus; Florenzi, Strootman, De Rossi, Kolarov; Nainggolan; Schick, Dzeko.
Where the games could be won or lost
Liverpool’s front three is the clear area of focus for Roma. Manager Eusebio Di Francesco will likely deploy a back three again, just like the Barcelona and Lazio games recently. That will help the Giallorossi press Liverpool in the wide areas. It also allows the defence to cover more ground and thus restricting space for the Reds trio.
In order for Liverpool to circumvent those tactics from Roma, it needs Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to make those driving runs forward in midfield. Oxlade-Chamberlain was very active off the ball versus Manchester City in the quarterfinals, which helped the Merseyside club overwhelm City. Roberto Firmino will be crucial as well because the Brazilian likes to drop deep to provide link-up play and he never stops pressing the opponent.
Considering Roma’s midfield faced very little resistance from Barcelona in the second leg of the quarterfinals, it will be intriguing to see how the midfielders respond to that intense pressure.
Roma’s key player to watch: Daniele De Rossi. The 34-year-old turned back the clock and delivered a man-of-the-match performance at the Stadio Olimpico against Barca on April 10. As brilliant as he was, De Rossi also had plenty of time to pick out passes and dictate the tempo of that game. Now the captain has to replicate that showing against a ferocious Liverpool side. Will he have the legs to do it again?
Liverpool’s key player to watch: Virgil van Dijk. Everyone is well aware of Salah, Mane and Firmino, which is why the potential difference-maker will be van Dijk. The Dutch centre-back has been nothing short of solid since arriving from Southampton in January. But he has a stern test with Edin Dzeko, who tormented Gerard Pique and Samuel Umtiti a couple of weeks ago. Dzeko is deceptively fast and strong in the air, so this should be a fun individual battle.
Prediction: Liverpool defeats Roma 3-1 on aggregate. Liverpool has not conceded once in its last four Champions League matches at Anfield, while Roma has failed to score in its previous three away games. A potentially decisive first-leg victory should be enough for the Reds.
Bayern Munich vs. Real MadridBayern Munich potential XI (4-3-3): Ulreich; Kimmich, Boateng, Hummels, Alaba; Rodriguez, Martinez, Thiago; Muller, Lewandowski, Ribery.
Real Madrid potential XI (4-4-2): Navas; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Casemiro, Modric, Kroos, Isco; Benzema, Ronaldo.
Where the games could be won or lost
Most matches are usually determined by the superior midfield. There will be plenty of individual quality on display for both sides which should make this a very fluid and entertaining pair of games.
Luka Modric and Toni Kroos are usually technically superior to the opposition midfield duo but this is not the case against Bayern Munich. Thiago and James Rodriguez are two elite passers who can easily out-pace the Madrid partnership. Thiago is also a very underrated defender. He’s adept at recovering possession off an opposing player and orchestrating the game.
This adds even more responsibility onto the shoulders of Javi Martinez and Casemiro. The midfield anchors will be tasked with snuffing out any runs into the final third by the opposing midfield and circulating the ball forward for any potential counter-attacks. With the full-backs likely pushed up high, that means there will be even more space to exploit.
Bayern Munich’s key player to watch: Thomas Muller. The German international bagged a hat-trick last Wednesday in Bayern’s 6-2 win over Bayer Leverkusen in the DFB Pokal semifinals. He also added a goal and an assist in the Bundesliga victory versus Hannover four days later. Look for Muller to drift inside behind Robert Lewandowski to make up the numbers against Madrid’s midfield quartet as well.
Real Madrid’s key player to watch: Isco. The Spaniard was sensational in the 3-0 victory over Juventus in the first leg of the quarterfinals. He did not misplace a single pass and assisted Cristiano Ronaldo’s opener. The 26-year-old is devastating on the break, so Bayern will have to be wary of his influence on the ball.
Prediction: Real Madrid defeats Bayern Munich 4-3 on aggregate. There is little separating these two sides, but Cristiano Ronaldo is unstoppable these days and could decide this matchup on his own. Ronaldo has scored in 12 consecutive matches with a total of 22 goals in that span. Not even Juventus and Atletico Madrid – two of the best defences in Europe – could shut down the Portuguese star. Jerome Boateng and Mats Hummels aren’t the most agile defenders, either, which might be the determining factor.
Besart Berisha sent Melbourne Victory into the A-League semifinals, producing a last-gasp overhead kick stunner to defeat Adelaide United
Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic admits signing Aleksandar Mitrovic is out of his control.
His compatriot has fired the Cottagers into automatic promotion contention after arriving from Newcastle on loan in January.
Read more on Tribal Football
GENEVA — Top European leagues are set to oppose FIFA plans for adding more teams and playing days at the 2022 World Cup.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino wants to study a 48-team tournament plan that would add 16 teams, 16 extra games and at least four days to the scheduled 28-day event kicking off in November 2022 in Qatar.
That schedule would likely take another round of weekend fixtures from the English Premier League, Spain’s La Liga and others which already must shut down in mid-season.
"We are not prepared to make any changes on the calendar for expanding the 2022 World Cup." Lars-Christer Olsson, CEO of the 32-member European Leagues group, said on Monday.
"We have already been flexible to allow the World Cup to be played in the (Qatari) winter and have agreed the dates," Olsson said, adding "we are not prepared for the duration of the World Cup to be any longer."
Infantino’s support last week for a 48-team World Cup ahead of the agreed expansion for the 2026 edition comes more than seven years after Qatar won hosting rights from FIFA’s then-executive committee.
Qatar bid to stage a 32-team, 64-game tournament in June-July 2022 despite the searing desert heat, with a pledge to develop stadium cooling technology.
In 2013, FIFA started consulting soccer officials worldwide in an 18-month process that reached an expected conclusion — to push back the schedule and play in cooler months, with a Nov. 21-Dec. 18 schedule.
That shorter, 28-day program — instead of the typical 32-day tournament — was a concession to Europe where most World Cup players are employed, and leagues wanted the shortest possible forced shutdown.
FIFA’s calendar for national-team games, which mandates when clubs must release players, has a Monday, Nov. 14, 2022 call-up date for World Cup teams.
An extra four days on the 2022 World Cup program would likely mean moving up the World Cup program, and taking the Nov. 12-13 fixture dates away from European leagues.
"FIFA seems to be on an expansion drive," said Olsson, who this year joined UEFA’s executive committee to represent the leagues. "It’s time people thought about the players — they need time to rest. It cannot just be money deciding how football should be organized."
European clubs were the most vocal opponents of a November-December tournament before FIFA agreed on the switch to winter three years ago.
Soon after the accord, FIFA and the European Club Association representing more than 200 members signed a new working deal which guaranteed clubs worldwide a $209 million share of World Cup revenues from each of the 2018 tournament in Russia and the 2022 edition in Qatar.
The money is distributed on a daily rate for players involved in the tournament to each club which employed him during the two previous years.
The ECA declined to comment last week when the 2022 World Cup expansion idea was announced on Thursday in Buenos Aires, Argentina, at a meeting of South American soccer body CONMEBOL which was attended by Infantino.
FIFA does not pay a share of World Cup revenues to the European Leagues group.
The 2022 expansion plan could require Qatar to share hosting duties with some regional neighbours.
The gas-rich emirate is completing eight stadiums for a 64-game tournament, though FIFA’s ideal design for a 48-team, 80-game tournament calls for 12 venues.
Infantino’s suggested feasibility study to look at 2022 tournament expansion could be agreed on at scheduled meetings in Moscow ahead of the World Cup kicking off on June 14.
680 News reporter Michael Leach joined Sportsnet 590 The FAN to discuss Toronto FC‘s season so far in MLS, how they’re putting way more energy into the CONCACAF Champions League, and how they have a chance to accomplish something truly special if they win.
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Stoke City striker Jese has taken to social media to wind up Potters fans.
The on loan Paris Saint-Germain continued to irk Stoke City fans as he posted a picture of him frolicking in bed with his children.
Read more on Tribal Football
Roma came back from a 4-1 first-leg deficit to defeat Barcelona on away goals as they advance to the Champions League semifinals.
Kostas Manolas sent Roma through to the semi-finals of the Champions League after an incredible 3-0 victory over Barcelona at the Stadio Olimpico which saw them overhaul a 4-1 first-leg deficit and advance on away goals.
Roma came back from a 4-1 first-leg deficit to defeat Barcelona on away goals as they advance to the Champions League semifinals.
ESPN FC's Gab Marcotti explains why Roma's comeback is one of their greatest moments in Europe, while the FC crew delve into where things went wrong for Barcelona.
Watch the scenes at the Stadio Olimpico after the match that saw Roma rally from three goals down to stun Barcelona in the Champions League quarterfinals.
The greatest moments from two wild matches between Manchester City, Liverpool, Roma and Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals.
While the watching world was braced in expectation of a historic Champions League comeback from Manchester City against Liverpool that never came, Roma did just that with their shock elimination of Barcelona in Tuesday's quarterfinal second leg.
The Spanish press has been unanimous in its criticism of Lionel Messi and Barcelona after their "dismal" performance at the Stadio Olimpico.
The La Liga leaders, who are also in the Copa del Rey final and were therefore aiming for a treble, led 4-1 after...EMRE CAN will miss the rest of Liverpool’s season with a back injury.
Jurgen Klopp confirmed fans’ worst fears in an interview in Germany ahead of the Reds’ Champions League second leg against Manchester City.
Jurgen Klopp has confirmed Emre Can will miss the rest of the season with a back injuryReuters
More to follow…
TOKYO — Vahid Halilhodzic has reportedly been dismissed as Japan’s head coach following two disappointing international friendly matches and with the World Cup opening in just over two months.
Japan’s Kyodo news agency cites football association president Kozo Tashima in announcing the move on Monday. The JFA was expected to hold a news conference to announce its plans.
Kyodo says a likely successor could be JFA technical director Akira Nishino, a former coach at J-League club Gamba Osaka.
Japan salvaged a 1-1 draw on the last kick of the game in a friendly last month against Mali, and days later lost 2-1 to Ukraine. The Japanese will face Colombia, Senegal and Poland in group play in the World Cup.
Halilhodzic was hired in March 2015 after leading Algeria to the knockout stage of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Japan, South Korea and Australia — traditionally, Asia’s most powerful teams — struggled in World Cup qualifying before advancing.
South Korea fired coach Uli Stielike last year and replaced him with Shin Tae-yong. Ange Postecoglou quit almost immediately after Australia secured qualification for Russia and has been replaced by Bert van Marwijk.
Asia’s dominant teams have tended to struggle at the World Cup when the top teams from Europe and Latin America are peaking.
South Korea’s run to the semifinals in 2002, when it was co-hosting the tournament with Japan, remains the best run by an Asian team at the World Cup.
Japan has never advanced beyond the second round, and will be making its sixth straight appearance in the upcoming World Cup.
Halilhodzic guided Algeria to the last 16 at the 2014 World Cup, where they lost to Germany in extra time. And the JFA had been hoping Halilhodzic could create a similar breakthrough for Japan.
But recent pressure appears to have weighed down the team.
None of Asia’s four representatives won a match at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, all failing to advance beyond the group stage. Japan, South Korea and Iran each had one draw and two losses and Australia lost all three matches in a group containing Netherlands, Chile and Spain.
ROBERTO MANCINI is set to be named the new Italy national team boss, according to reports.
The former Manchester City and Inter Milan manager is currently over in Russia with Zenit St Petersburg.
Roberto Mancini is the top choice to be the next Italy national team boss, according to reportsGetty
But Italian news-site CalcioMercato are reporting that the 53-year-old will hand in his resignation at the end of the current season there.
A sticking point could be if the Russians are not willing to accept his resignation, with the Italian still having another two years to run.
However, it is believed he is the top choice of bosses at the Italian FA.
Carlo Ancelotti and Antonio Conte have both been tipped in recent months for the position, but appear to have been overtaken by Mancini.
Roberto Mancini is reportedly set to leave St Petersburg at the end of the seasonGetty Images - Getty
The current Italian manager is Luigi Di Biagio, who took over after Gian Piero Ventura failed to guide the Blues to the World Cup this summer in Russia.
And speaking recently, it appears Di Biagio isn’t too confident of his own chances of landing the job full-time.
JUR THE MAN Real Madrid look to have lined up Zidane’s replacement
Luigi Di Biagio took over temporarily after Gian Piero Ventura was sacked after Italy failed to reach the World CupReuters
He said: “This has been a fantastic experience which has really given me a lot
“These guys aren’t so mediocre as everyone wants to make out. They are Italy, they have to understand what they represent.
“We’ll see if it will be me or not, but that’s not a problem.”
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. _ Andrew Farrell scored his first career Major League Soccer goal in 164 appearances and the New England Revolution eased past the 10-man Montreal Impact 4-0 on Friday night.
New England (3-1-1) extended its home unbeaten streak to 11 matches. Montreal (2-3-0) has lost five straight in the series.
It took just seven minutes for New England to take advantage of Montreal’s first-half send off. Wilfried Zahibo sent a long pass over the defence and Teal Bunbury settled it with his chest for a calm finish inside the far post in the 20th minute.
Farrell, a defenceman selected No. 1 overall in 2013 MLS SuperDraft, made it 2-0 in first-half stoppage time by finishing a deflected ball. Diego Fagundez, who had penalty kick blocked in the 36th minute, scored his third goal of the season in the 71st and Wilfried Zahibo had his first MLS goal nine minutes later.
Montreal midfielder Saphir Taider received a straight red card in the 13th for studs-up contact with Luis Caicedo.
Brothers Manny and Mike Ott struck in the second half as Ceres Negros opened its Philippines Football League title defense with a thrilling 2-1 victory over Kaya Iloilo last Wednesday night at Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City.
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Mexico topped both of their qualifying groups but there are still doubts over the team.
Tough Job: With Germany and Sweden in the group, Mexico will do well to get out of the group (Getty Images) Mexico topped both of their qualifying groups but there are still doubts over the team.
