Month: March 2023

Ansu Fati wants to stay at Barcelona, but his father has other ideas.

The 20-year-old, who has been with the club for a decade, has made 38 appearances in all competitions this season but 27 of them have come as a substitute.

Bori Fati – who manages his son alongside agent Jorge Mendes – has been left angered by the situation and believes the winger deserves more minutes for Xavi’s side.

“If it was up to me, I would take him [to another team] but [Ansu] wants to stay at Barcelona,” Bori Fati told Spanish outlet Cope.

“He does not want to sign for another club, but I want to see him succeed. As a dad, I am angry.

“Seeing Ansu play so little winds you up a little bit, and sometimes I think as a father, not a coach.”

Fati, who has scored six goals this season, is under a long-term contract with Barca, who are 12 points clear at the top of LaLiga. 

And despite his father’s wish, Fati has previously stated his desire to remain with Barcelona, where he feels at home. 

“I’m under contract with Barcelona until June 2027, and I hope to stay here for many more years,” he said in February.

“I feel grateful and lucky to play for Barca and I have to thank the people who support me daily for their backing.”

The situation led to Bori calling a meeting with Barcelona sporting director Mateu Alemany, and agent Mendes.

Alemany reassured him of his son’s role at the club, though Bori remains unconvinced the situation will change.

“I called Mateu,” said Bori. “He told us that Ansu is part of the club’s heritage, and they have bet big on him.

“As a dad, I think differently, maybe I am wrong. He is your franchise player, the number 10, he took [that number] on when no one was ready to take it from [Lionel] Messi.

“What annoys me is how they’re treating him in terms of minutes. One minute, two, three.

“I am not asking for him to be a starter, because all the forwards at the club are phenomenal, but we are talking about Ansu Fati, of Spain and Barcelona, who came through La Masia.”

It is now at the point where Bori no longer wants to visit Camp Nou to watch his son play.

“If it carries on like this, I will go [back] to [the family home in] Seville and that’s that,” said Bori.

“I didn’t go to the game against [Real] Madrid. I won’t go to the stadium anymore.

“The other day Ansu asked me why I didn’t go, he thought I was there. I told him I didn’t fancy it.”

Tottenham managing director of football Fabio Paratici’s future at the club has been cast into doubt after his ban by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) was extended worldwide by FIFA.

Paratici was one of 11 individuals connected with Juventus who were issued with bans by the FIGC in January after the club was found guilty of false accounting in relation to transfer dealings.

Juventus were also docked 15 points as part of the punishment.

Paratici and Juventus denied any wrongdoing, with an appeal against the initial sanctions imposed by the FIGC to be heard by the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) on April 19.

Despite his 30-month ban, Spurs director Paratici was able to continue his role with the Premier League club because the suspension only applied to Italian Football. 

However, FIFA confirmed on Wednesday the bans handed out by the FIGC have been extended worldwide, meaning Paratici will be unable to fulfil his duties at Spurs unless his appeal is successful. 

A widely reported FIFA statement read: “FIFA can confirm that following a request by the FIGC, the chairperson of the FIFA disciplinary committee has decided to extend the sanctions imposed by the FIGC on several football officials to have worldwide effect.”

The news comes just three days after the sacking of Spurs head coach Antonio Conte, with the Italian leaving after 17 months in charge. 

Paratici, who would have likely played an important in appointing Conte’s replacement, appeared in a video on Tuesday outlining Spurs’ plans for the rest of the season and describing the decision to fire the former Inter and Chelsea coach as “the right decision.”

You can catch every kick of the 2022-23 FA Cup semi-finals next month with both mouth-watering clashes selected to be broadcast FREE to watch in the UK.

ITV and the BBC will share duties across the weekend as Manchester City, Sheffield United, Brighton and Manchester United head to Wembley bidding for a place in this season’s final.

Read on as we reveal all you need to know ahead of FA Cup semi-final weekend.

When are the FA Cup semi-finals?

The 2022-23 FA Cup semi-finals will be played across the weekend of April 22-23, with Man City’s clash with Championship outfit Sheffield United kicking off proceedings on Saturday, April 22 followed by Brighton against United the next day.

Which FA Cup semi-final ties will be broadcast?

Both of the FA Cup semi-final ties will be shown for free in the UK.

Pep Guardiola’s Citizens will fight it out with the Blades live on ITV1 and ITVX.

It is then the turn of Premier League duo Brighton and United to go head-to-head and you can catch that on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

What to look out for in the FA Cup semi-finals

There could be a monumental semi-final upset on the cards if second-tier Sheffield United are able to get the better of the Premier League champions, who have won the competition six times.

City will certainly not be underestimating their South Yorkshire opponents though, with Paul Heckingbottom’s men sitting second in the Championship and dumping out Tottenham on the road to the capital.

Though neighbours United also head into the semi-finals as favourites, their tie with seventh-placed Premier League side Brighton is a much more closely balanced affair.

The Seagulls have been outstanding this term and shocked the Red Devils with a 2-1 victory at Old Trafford at the start of the season in Erik ten Hag’s first game in charge.

FA Cup semi-final draw

Manchester City vs Sheffield United (Saturday, April 22, 4.45pm)

Brighton vs Manchester United (Sunday, April 23, 4.30pm)

Mikel Arteta labelled Arsene Wenger as the most influential manager in Premier League history, after the former Arsenal boss was inducted into the competition’s Hall of Fame.

On Wednesday, Wenger was inducted alongside Alex Ferguson, with the pair becoming the first managers to go into the Hall of Fame after 16 players had already been added.

Wenger won three Premier League titles – including with the 2003-04 ‘Invincibles’ – and seven FA Cups during his long stint in charge of Arsenal.

He is renowned for introducing a revolutionary football philosophy, which included a commitment to attacking football.

“I don’t think any other managers have had a more impact,” Arteta said.

“Some managers have brought different ideas, different characters, different competitions. 

“He opened the Premier League to the world in a different way to other managers. He had a vision that was much wider than any other manager had at the time.

“England and the Premier League have to be very grateful forever to this man.”

Arteta played under Wenger for five seasons between 2011 and 2016, before becoming Arsenal boss himself in 2019.

After winning the 2020 FA Cup, Arteta has the Gunners leading the Premier League by eight points with 10 games to go.

On track for Arsenal’s first title in 19 years, Arteta has credited Wenger for helping him as a player and then in the next step of his career.

“I had a dream to play for this club and that was because of the way Arsenal played,” added Arteta.

“It was so attractive. I had a phenomenal time with him. He pushed me as well at the end of my career to become a coach.

“We had a conversation and I asked him what he would do in my position because I had doubts in my career over whether I wanted to continue my journey as a coach.

“He helped me at the club and at the academy to do my badges and again, he was an inspiration.”

Tottenham should not have been surprised by how Antonio Conte’s time at the club ended as he “goes into conflict with everyone”, says Christian Vieri.

Conte joined Spurs in November 2021 after the sacking of Nuno Espirito Santo and guided the north London club to a top-four Premier League finish at the end of his first season.

Despite sitting fourth again this season, performances under Conte were hugely inconsistent with Spurs falling to disappointing exits in the Champions League and FA Cup in recent weeks. 

Following an explosive press conference in which the Italian labelled his players “selfish”, he left the club on Sunday.

However, the breakdown in relations between Conte and the club was something former Juventus, Inter and Italy striker Vieri was expecting. 

“Antonio goes into conflict with everyone, it’s his character,” he told Corriere della Sera.

“If you take him, you can’t expect someone who shuts up and everything is fine with him. He is always on the edge, it’s his way of being; you can like it or not, you know who you get.

“Every two years does he fight with everyone? Yes. Does he always leave with problems? Yes. 

“You know he’s demanding, serious, and it’s hard to have him in your club, he doesn’t let you sleep peacefully. 

“They are choices. There are coaches like Conte and Mourinho who hammer at all hours, put pressure and always demand the best. 

“And then there are those who are fine with anything, they stay there. Everyone trains and sees football in their own way, and it doesn’t mean that this or that coach is right.”

Conte’s former assistant Cristian Stellini is set to take charge of Tottenham alongside Ryan Mason until the end of the season. 

Erik ten Hag hailed Alex Ferguson as the defining personality in Manchester United’s recent history following his induction into the Premier League Hall of Fame.

The league confirmed on Wednesday that Ferguson and his former rival Arsene Wenger are the first two inductees of 2023.

During a remarkable 27-year managerial stint at Old Trafford, Ferguson took standards to an altogether different level and he arguably remains the benchmark.

He took charge in 1986, six years before the foundation of the Premier League, and went on to win the competition 13 times – that is nine more than any other coach or manager.

United are waiting for their first Premier League title since Ferguson’s retirement in 2013, and Ferguson’s legacy still lauds over every manager who arrives at the club.

Ten Hag is the latest to try his luck and recognises the influence held by Ferguson, which is acting as a guide for the Dutchman as he looks to bring the glory days back to Old Trafford.

“You feel it every day because he left a legacy and Manchester United is Alex Ferguson,” Ten Hag told the Premier League.

“He set the highest standards, the highest values, and brought the winning attitude. He built that in the club… and that is the standard that you must face if you want to play for Manchester United or work for Manchester United.

“First of all, he knew when to rebuild and reconstruct a new team because he did it over two decades and every time he was successful. He did it with a balance of homegrown players and bringing big stars in.

“He got the best out of it, like working with Eric Cantona, working with [Ruud] van Nistelrooy, [Robin] van Persie, Wayne Rooney.

“That is huge if you are able to handle those personalities, but also to let them play as a team. That was always one of his most important qualities – that the team is always above any individual. It’s difficult to construct one winning team. He did it so many times!”

Ten Hag was spotted having dinner with Ferguson in February before United played host to Barcelona in the Europa League.

At the time he spoke of how “committed” Ferguson still was to the club with his desire to help those who came after him.

Now, he is hoping to make such meetings more of a regular occurrence, such is Ferguson’s wealth of experience.

“His experience is huge, so with all the knowledge he can help you with, he can,” Ten Hag added.

“I’m really pleased that he wants to share his knowledge with me. It’s great to talk and learn from him, and I hope we can do it more often.”

Kai Havertz hailed the impact Thomas Tuchel had on his career, with the new Bayern Munich boss having coached the Germany international at Chelsea.

Tuchel, who was announced as Bayern’s coach following the shock sacking of Julian Nagelsmann last week, took charge of the Blues between January 2021 and September last year.

The German guided Chelsea to Champions League glory in 2021, with Havertz scoring the first-half winner in a 1-0 victory over fellow Premier League side Manchester City.

Speaking to The Guardian on Tuchel’s influence, he said: “Tuchel gave me a different idea of football. 

“Every detail counts, every centimetre, how you touch the ball, how you control, where you pass, which foot, movement, creating spaces: he’s just top level. 

“To come and win the Champions League in six months says it all.

“My brother and I used to watch every Champions League game and to hold the trophy with your family on the pitch was such a relief. 

“I scored this goal, I can be happy. I made my childhood dream come true.”

Chelsea remain in this year’s competition after overturning a 1-0 first-leg deficit to Borussia Dortmund with a 2-0 home win at Stamford Bridge. 

Havertz scored the crucial second goal from the penalty spot and his side now face reigning champions Real Madrid in the quarter-finals.

“The ambition is still there,” Havertz said about Chelsea’s Champions League aspirations this campaign. 

“In the league, we are not very good and we feel for the fans but against Dortmund, the atmosphere was the best I have seen. You feel the excitement. 

“The Premier League is big and winning it may be even more difficult but the Champions League is different. Hearing that anthem, playing at night, it’s special.”

Despite progress in the Champions League, Tuchel’s successor Graham Potter sees his side sit tenth in the Premier League and 11 points off a top-four position heading into the final stage of the season.

Regardless of the pressure on Potter and the new singings brought in as part of an ambitious January spending spree, Havertz believes all of them will thrive at the club given time to develop. 

“Potter is very good for Chelsea even though he gets criticism; in the changing room, everyone knows his qualities.

“Enzo [Fernandez] and [Mykhaylo] Mudryk have come for a lot of money and they’re only 22, you know? You cannot expect them to be Neymar straight away. It’s like me: it takes time.”

LiveScore Daily is here to deliver all the big talking points from the world of football throughout the day. Keep refreshing this page for the latest stories in bite-sized chunks.

Sir Alex and Wenger join Hall of Fame

Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger have become the first managerial inductees into the Premier League Hall of Fame.

Legendary former Manchester United boss Ferguson, 81, is the most successful manager in the competition’s history with a record 13 titles.

Wenger won three Premier League crowns during his two decades in charge of Arsenal, including their unprecedented Invincibles season in which they lifted the 2003-04 title without losing a game.

The pair shared an iconic rivalry on the touchline over the years and have joined the likes of Alan Shearer, Thierry Henry and Eric Cantona in being honoured for their contributions to the English top flight since its rebrand in 1992.

Glaswegian Ferguson said: “It’s an honour when you receive recognition like this. 

“However, it’s not just about me as a person. It’s about the job at Manchester United and the bond we had over many years, so I’m also proud for the club, the staff and my players.

“I feel Arsene is a very worthy inductee as he transformed Arsenal fantastically. 

“They became a tough team to compete with and we both wanted to win, which motivated us further.”

Wenger, 73, arrived as one of the Premier League’s first foreign managers and is credited with playing a huge role in the development of the division after winning the league in his first full season in 1997-98.

The Frenchman said: “I’d like to be known as someone who loved Arsenal, who respected the values of the club and left it in a position where it can grow and become even bigger.

“To share this with Sir Alex is a great honour for me. It’s like two boxers, you fight like mad and go the distance together. 

“At the end of the day, you have respect and it will be a great opportunity to meet with him, share a good bottle of wine and memories of our old battles.”

Paratici ban extended worldwide

Tottenham managing director of football Fabio Paratici will be forced to step away from his role after FIFA extended an initial ban in Italy to be effective worldwide.

Paratici, 50, had been serving the suspension in his homeland after former club Juventus, where he was sporting director and then managing director, were found guilty of false accounting.

He left Juve to join Spurs in the summer of 2021 and would have played a key role in the North Londoners’ search for a new manager following Antonio Conte’s departure last week.

A statement read: “FIFA can confirm that following a request by the Italian FA, the chairperson of FIFA disciplinary committee has decided to extend the sanctions imposed by FIGC on several football officials to have worldwide effect.”

The announcement comes after Spurs published a lengthy interview with the Italian on Tuesday in which he said Conte’s exit was the “right decision for everyone” and that the club was focused on supporting interim coach Christian Stellini in their push for the top four this season.

Reliant Ruben

Ruben Loftus-Cheek insists he does not mind playing as a right wing-back for Chelsea but prefers to operate in the centre of the park.

The 27-year-old is a midfielder by trade but has been a regular feature on the right flank under Graham Potter this term when Reece James has not been available.

His versatility has led to him starting 19 times in all competitions this season, his best tally for the Blues in a single campaign.

Speaking to the club’s official website, Loftus-Cheek said: “I’ve played a few positions but mostly this season either centre midfield or right wing-back.

“Of course, I want to play in midfield but sometimes you have to do a job in different positions, as I can play a few positions.

“I haven’t really played in that kind of attacking midfield position on the left side for a couple of years now.”

The Blues return to Premier League action against Aston Villa on Saturday following an upturn in form prior to the international break to relieve the pressure on ex-Brighton boss Potter. 

Terriers name prospective owner

Huddersfield have announced their prospective new owner as American businessman Kevin M Nagle.

The Championship strugglers confirmed last week they had agreed a takeover with an unnamed US consortium.

Nagle is currently the owner of California-based Sacramento Republic, who play in the USL Championship.

The 68-year-old said in a statement: “I am beyond pleased to announce I have entered into agreement with Dean Hoyle to purchase a full stake in Huddersfield.

“As the approval process is now under way, there will be no further comment until finalization, as we wish to 100% respect that process.

“I would, however, like to thank Dean for all his help and support along the way and I cannot wait to meet and speak to the wonderful Town fans.”

Christian Vieri believes criticism of Roberto Mancini’s decision to call up Argentine-born Mateo Retegui to the Italy team is “dinosaur stuff”.

Retegui was born and raised in Argentina, has spent his entire career in South America and cannot speak Italian, but he qualified for the Azzurri through a grandparent.

The striker, who counted Vieri as an idol, made his Italy bow this month, scoring against both England and Malta to prompt links to Inter Milan.

There has still been scepticism around his role in the Italy side, with Mario Balotelli among those to suggest Mancini should be relying on players closer to home.

But that is not an assessment Vieri agrees with, having grown up in Australia before representing Italy at two World Cups.

Vieri told Corriere della Sera of the critics: “They are poor people. It is an ancient mentality, dinosaur stuff.

“In Australia, I grew up with kids from all over the world.”

He added of Retegui: “It is promising, a positive impact. A really nice goal against England, perfect control and immediate, precise shooting, and a pure centre-forward’s goal in Malta.

“Mancio was right once again. If he sees a good player, he throws him in without much problem. In any case, Mateo has to play and still improve a lot.”

Mancini has repeatedly pointed to the lack of Italian talent in forward positions in Serie A, perhaps best illustrated by runaway league leaders Napoli.

Georgia’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen have inspired their outstanding campaign and are counted among Vieri’s stars of the season – all of whom play for the Partenopei and none of whom are Italian.

Vieiri said: “In first place is Kim [Min-jae]. Kim Kardashian, I say.

“Seriously, I didn’t even know who he was. And here I think back to [the work of Napoli sporting director Cristiano] Giuntoli. I was very impressed by the personality of the Korean.

“Then, of course, there’s Kvaratskhelia – he seems to me George Best for the way he walks, dribbles, even for his hair.

“I say Osimhen, devastating. Italy completed him from all points of view, and today he is among the three strongest strikers in the world.

“Finally, we mustn’t overlook the ‘old’ [Stanislav] Lobotka, who reminds me of Xavi, someone who made a mistake every 10 to 12 months.”

Can Napoli win the Champions League as well as the Scudetto then?

Vieri said: “It wouldn’t be a surprise for me, even if they’ll have to be very careful about Milan.”

Arsenal Women will hope Stina Blackstenius can help fire them into the final four of this season’s Women’s Champions League. 

The Gunners lost the first-leg of their quarter-final tie with Bayern Munich 1-0 but remain in with a strong chance of progression ahead of their home leg at the Emirates.

Though their highly-rated Swedish striker has had her struggles since moving to London, she has also came up with some vital goals in recent weeks. 

Ahead of a crucial Europan clash on Wednesday night, we take a look at Blackstenius’ career journey to date and her current burst of form. 

Hitting form

Blackstenius has made a habit of netting important strikes recently.

Back in February, she rose off the bench to net an extra-time winner against Manchester City in the semi-final of the Women’s League Cup. 

The centre forward then returned to the starting lineup for the final against Chelsea and bagged Arsenal’s first goal of the match in a 3-1 victory over their London rivals.

It was the club’s first piece of silverware since 2019, in a season in which they are also still targeting Champions League and Super League success. 

The Gunners sit fourth in the English top flight, just three points behind current leaders Manchester United on whom they hold a game in hand. 

Last weekend, they won the North London derby by a 5-1 scoreline, with Blackstenius scoring the opening goal of the drubbing after just five minutes.

Greatest asset

Blackstenius got Arsenal off to a flying start against Spurs and manager Jonas Eidevall was quick to praise her afterwards.

The coach said: “Every game poses different challenges, but Stina gave exactly what we needed at the start of the game by posing a threat from balls in behind against a very compact Spurs’ team. 

“I think it was very nice to see her take the first finish on her first touch, when she first spots the goalkeeper a little bit out of position.”

Blackstenius’ opener was a perfect example of her greatest asset. She has great movement, which allows her to regularly get behind and split defences. 

The 5ft 9in striker is also adept at evading markers to provide an aerial threat, while she boasts a range of passing that allows her to create chances for others too.

Transfer talk

Blackstenius joined Arsenal on a free transfer from the Swedish club BK Hacken in January 2022. 

It was her second move abroad, having started a spell at Montpellier in France brightly before losing her starting spot during her third season and returning to her homeland.

The international was also being tracked by Tottenham and Manchester United, but Blackstenius decided to link up with her compatriot Eidevall at Arsenal. 

Last term, she scored seven goals in 16 games. In what is her first full season, she has so far added another 13 in 28 appearances — though her overall form has been solid rather than spectacular. 

The January transfer window saw Blackstenius linked to a swap deal involving Manchester United and England forward Alessia Russo, though the move never materialised. 

Critical run

Having remained at Arsenal, there is now a lot of pressure on Blackstenius to deliver, at a time when fellow forwards Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema are out injured. 

Talk of the club being willing to dispense of her services after just a year puts into perspective the high standards that she is expected to meet in North London.

Since January, the striker has scored four goals in nine games. Arsenal will be encouraged that some of those have arrived when the pressure is on. 

The win against Spurs came just days after their first-leg loss to Bayern Munich. Tonight, they must face the Germans again before crunch games against title rivals Manchester City and Manchester United. 

It is a critical run of matches that will decide if Arsenal will win further trophies this season — and could also dictate Blackstenius’ future in England.