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England are the UEFA European U21 Championship winners for 2025 
Lee Carsley has done it again
Lee Carsley has done it again
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Contact the PP Team
International Football Discussion
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Ford to make 100th England appearance in Argentina opener
George Ford will become the seventh man to make 100 Test appearances for England when he starts at fly-half in the first Test against Argentina on Saturday.
Ford, 32, made his England debut against Wales in the 2014 Six Nations and was a key part of the side that reached the Rugby World Cup final in 2019.
Centre Seb Atkinson and wing Will Muir both win their first England caps, with uncapped Bath back row Guy Pepper on the bench.
Ford shares the captaincy with hooker Jamie George, with Northampton's Alex Coles partnering Charlie Ewels in the second row and flanker Sam Underhill making his Test comeback after missing the Six Nations with an ankle injury.
Ben Spencer is preferred to Jack van Poortvliet at scrum-half, while full-back Freddie Steward comes in for his first England appearance since February.
With 13 first-choice players missing on Lions duty, there is an inexperienced look to England's team - nine of the starting XV have fewer than 15 caps.
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George Ford will become the seventh man to make 100 Test appearances for England when he starts at fly-half in the first Test against Argentina on Saturday.
Ford, 32, made his England debut against Wales in the 2014 Six Nations and was a key part of the side that reached the Rugby World Cup final in 2019.
Centre Seb Atkinson and wing Will Muir both win their first England caps, with uncapped Bath back row Guy Pepper on the bench.
Ford shares the captaincy with hooker Jamie George, with Northampton's Alex Coles partnering Charlie Ewels in the second row and flanker Sam Underhill making his Test comeback after missing the Six Nations with an ankle injury.
Ben Spencer is preferred to Jack van Poortvliet at scrum-half, while full-back Freddie Steward comes in for his first England appearance since February.
With 13 first-choice players missing on Lions duty, there is an inexperienced look to England's team - nine of the starting XV have fewer than 15 caps.
Argentina v England: George Ford to win 100th cap
George Ford will become the eighth man to make 100 Test appearances for England when he starts at fly-half in the first Test against Argentina on Saturday.
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Former Porto captain Costa dies aged 53
Former Porto captain Jorge Costa has died aged 53 after having a cardiac arrest at the club's training centre.
The defender led the Portuguese club to Champions League glory under manager Jose Mourinho in 2004 and won 50 caps for Portugal.
Costa spent a season on loan at Charlton in the Premier League in 2001-02 and retired from playing in 2006.
The centre-back moved into management and held positions at 16 clubs before taking up the role of Porto's director of professional football last season.
It is the third unexpected death of an former Porto player this summer following the tragic passing of former loanee Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva in July, who spent six years at the club.
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Former Porto captain Jorge Costa has died aged 53 after having a cardiac arrest at the club's training centre.
The defender led the Portuguese club to Champions League glory under manager Jose Mourinho in 2004 and won 50 caps for Portugal.
Costa spent a season on loan at Charlton in the Premier League in 2001-02 and retired from playing in 2006.
The centre-back moved into management and held positions at 16 clubs before taking up the role of Porto's director of professional football last season.
It is the third unexpected death of an former Porto player this summer following the tragic passing of former loanee Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva in July, who spent six years at the club.
Jorge Costa: Porto's Champions League-winning captain dies aged 53
Former Porto captain Jorge Costa dies aged 53 after having a cardiac arrest at the club's training centre.
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Celtic blew the chance to reach the Champions League after an ignominious defeat in a penalty shootout away to Kairat Almaty as Brendan Rodgers' side failed to score a goal in 210 minutes.
Substitute Adam Idah missed the first spot-kick, and home keeper Temirlan Anarbekov capped a fine display with further saves to deny Luke McCowan and, tellingly, Daizen Maeda.
It sealed a 3-2 outcome on penalties to send the Khazak side into the Champions League proper for the first time in their history.
Maeda had earlier blasted a late 85th-minute shot over the bar that would have ended the agony endured over two legs, with a powerful McCowan strike well stopped in extra time too.
The build-up to the game was dominated by Celtic's listless showing in the first leg and lack of recruitment throught the summer, but the side did little to right that wrong for much of the second leg.
The first half saw Kasper Schmeichel and the offside flag deny Kairat in their fleeting ventures forward, while James Forrest's header was smartly tipped over the bar. Both sides struggled to show any signs of attacking impetus as the first half, mercifully, drew to a close.
Rodgers opted to keep the same XI that started the game for the second period as he looked for a response from the players trusted to get the job done.
Despite reinforcements now seeming likely, the squad still looked uninspiring and without of a matchwinner as the riches of the Champions League hung in the balance.
As the tie slipped into the latter stages, a looping back pass from Callum McGregor had to be punched clear twice by Schmeichel, giving Kairat an indirect free-kick on the six-yard line.
It was blasted off of Maeda, with the hosts screaming for a penalty, but referee Maurizio Mariani waved away their spot-kick appeals.
Five minutes from full-time the best chance of the tie presented itself to Maeda as he raced on to the end of a well-weighted McGregor through-ball, but the forward couldn't compose himself and blazed over the bar. The hearty band of Celtic supporters that made the trip were disconsolate.
Kairat tired as extra time started but Celtic still remained unable to find any sort of effective route to goal.
A sharp intake of breath followed McCowan's saved shot as they continued to probe but failed to avoid the tension and lottery of a penalty shootout.
Idah stepped up first and had his effort saved, with Engels and McGregor the only two to convert on a grim night in Almaty.
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Substitute Adam Idah missed the first spot-kick, and home keeper Temirlan Anarbekov capped a fine display with further saves to deny Luke McCowan and, tellingly, Daizen Maeda.
It sealed a 3-2 outcome on penalties to send the Khazak side into the Champions League proper for the first time in their history.
Maeda had earlier blasted a late 85th-minute shot over the bar that would have ended the agony endured over two legs, with a powerful McCowan strike well stopped in extra time too.
The build-up to the game was dominated by Celtic's listless showing in the first leg and lack of recruitment throught the summer, but the side did little to right that wrong for much of the second leg.
The first half saw Kasper Schmeichel and the offside flag deny Kairat in their fleeting ventures forward, while James Forrest's header was smartly tipped over the bar. Both sides struggled to show any signs of attacking impetus as the first half, mercifully, drew to a close.
Rodgers opted to keep the same XI that started the game for the second period as he looked for a response from the players trusted to get the job done.
Despite reinforcements now seeming likely, the squad still looked uninspiring and without of a matchwinner as the riches of the Champions League hung in the balance.
As the tie slipped into the latter stages, a looping back pass from Callum McGregor had to be punched clear twice by Schmeichel, giving Kairat an indirect free-kick on the six-yard line.
It was blasted off of Maeda, with the hosts screaming for a penalty, but referee Maurizio Mariani waved away their spot-kick appeals.
Five minutes from full-time the best chance of the tie presented itself to Maeda as he raced on to the end of a well-weighted McGregor through-ball, but the forward couldn't compose himself and blazed over the bar. The hearty band of Celtic supporters that made the trip were disconsolate.
Kairat tired as extra time started but Celtic still remained unable to find any sort of effective route to goal.
A sharp intake of breath followed McCowan's saved shot as they continued to probe but failed to avoid the tension and lottery of a penalty shootout.
Idah stepped up first and had his effort saved, with Engels and McGregor the only two to convert on a grim night in Almaty.
Kairat Almaty 0-0 Celtic (Kairat win 3-2 on pens): Brendan Rodgers' side crash out of Champions League play-off
Celtic succumbed to an embarrassing shootout defeat to Kazakhstan's Kairat Almaty in the Champions League play-offs.
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Paqueta could sue FA after spot-fixing acquittal
West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta is considering suing the Football Association after he was cleared of spot-fixing.
Sources close to the 28-year-old have told BBC Sport that the player's lawyers are currently "considering all options".
The Brazilian was charged by the FA in May 2024 for allegedly getting booked deliberately for the "improper purpose of affecting the betting market".
Paqueta was cleared on four counts of supposed spot-fixing by an independent commission in July 2025.
Written reasons detailing the commission's findings were published on Wednesday, calling into question the FA's decision not to call in independent expertise on the key area of betting data.
Paqueta's legal team is now analysing the case and considering all options in response, including suing the FA.
The FA's investigation into Paqueta began in August 2023 - nine months before the Brazilian was eventually charged.
The announcement of the investigation led to the collapse of the Brazilian's £80m move to Manchester City.
The commission noted that both Paqueta and West Ham would have "received substantial sums running into the tens of millions of pounds" and that "both the player and West Ham reserve all of their rights in that regard".
The FA, which has confirmed it will not be appealing against the decision, has been contacted for comment.
How Paqueta cleared his name
A 314-page document prepared by Sports Resolutions - an independent and not-for-profit dispute resolution service - provided detail of the case.
A range of information - from former West Ham manager David Moyes' views on the yellow cards to conversations Paqueta's hairdresser mother Cristiane had in a salon back in Brazil - is covered by the commission's written findings.
The FA claimed 542 bets totalling £46,758.83 were staked by 253 different bettors with a collective return of £213,703.81, reflecting a net profit of £166,944.98.
However, the commission noted that the FA's case rested "entirely on circumstantial evidence" and the decision to tender evidence on the betting data from one of its own employees, betting integrity investigator Tom Astley, was an "oddity" and "an obvious flaw".
"In the commission's view, on what the FA has accepted was the most important element of its case, it simply did not call independent expert evidence," the commission said in the written findings.
"Instead, it relies on the evidence of its integrity investigator and asks the commission to accept that he has shown the impartiality that would have been expected of an independent expert."
In his evidence, Astley said the betting on Paqueta "appears highly orchestrated".
The commission said the FA's legal counsel subsequently disagreed with Astley's assessment and was "thus abandoning, without further explanation, its case on orchestration".
The FA said 27 of the 253 bettors could be linked to the player, but Paqueta maintained he only had a real relationship with five of the people.
He said he did not speak to the five regularly, and even then, rarely about football.
The commission concluded that an analysis of the betting data was not "illustrative of a spot-fix" and added it was "in many respects inconsistent with a spot-fix, but consistent with alternative explanations".
Nick de Marco, part of Paqueta's legal team, said: "I remain delighted for my client Lucas, cleared of all the serious charges of spot-fixing.
"The decision is understood to be the longest sports-related judgment ever issued in the world - a reflection of how serious the case was, the amount of evidence deployed in what was the biggest case in the FA's history."
'Within the normal range of actions'
Ex-West Ham manager Moyes, now in charge of Everton, and former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg gave evidence on Paqueta's behalf from a performance perspective.
Moyes said he had "re-watched the yellow card incidents closely" and "consider them to be entirely within the normal range of actions for this player".
Clattenburg disagreed with findings presented by Stats Perform Integrity Services (SPIS) in support of the FA's case, and felt two of the four yellow cards should not have been shown.
"Each challenge is comfortably within the sphere of things that happen multiple times every match, both individually and when taken in conjunction with each other," Clattenburg said.
The commission concluded there was "nothing in Paqueta's on-field conduct" which advanced the FA's case that he had deliberately sought to be booked in any of the four games.
The commission found the FA's inability to locate one item of data from either of the player's mobile phones that even mentioned betting or had any connection to one of the four games related to the charges was a significant point in favour of Paqueta's defence and indicated he was being truthful about his lack of interest in gambling.
The FA accepted it could not be proved Paqueta had deliberately deleted any messages or contacts.
More than 300 deleted messages were recovered, none of which had anything to do with spot-fixing.
The commission said this was "a salient reminder to the commission not to jump to conclusions and the dangers of drawing adverse inferences from events unknown".
BBC
West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta is considering suing the Football Association after he was cleared of spot-fixing.
Sources close to the 28-year-old have told BBC Sport that the player's lawyers are currently "considering all options".
The Brazilian was charged by the FA in May 2024 for allegedly getting booked deliberately for the "improper purpose of affecting the betting market".
Paqueta was cleared on four counts of supposed spot-fixing by an independent commission in July 2025.
Written reasons detailing the commission's findings were published on Wednesday, calling into question the FA's decision not to call in independent expertise on the key area of betting data.
Paqueta's legal team is now analysing the case and considering all options in response, including suing the FA.
The FA's investigation into Paqueta began in August 2023 - nine months before the Brazilian was eventually charged.
The announcement of the investigation led to the collapse of the Brazilian's £80m move to Manchester City.
The commission noted that both Paqueta and West Ham would have "received substantial sums running into the tens of millions of pounds" and that "both the player and West Ham reserve all of their rights in that regard".
The FA, which has confirmed it will not be appealing against the decision, has been contacted for comment.
How Paqueta cleared his name
A 314-page document prepared by Sports Resolutions - an independent and not-for-profit dispute resolution service - provided detail of the case.
A range of information - from former West Ham manager David Moyes' views on the yellow cards to conversations Paqueta's hairdresser mother Cristiane had in a salon back in Brazil - is covered by the commission's written findings.
The FA claimed 542 bets totalling £46,758.83 were staked by 253 different bettors with a collective return of £213,703.81, reflecting a net profit of £166,944.98.
However, the commission noted that the FA's case rested "entirely on circumstantial evidence" and the decision to tender evidence on the betting data from one of its own employees, betting integrity investigator Tom Astley, was an "oddity" and "an obvious flaw".
"In the commission's view, on what the FA has accepted was the most important element of its case, it simply did not call independent expert evidence," the commission said in the written findings.
"Instead, it relies on the evidence of its integrity investigator and asks the commission to accept that he has shown the impartiality that would have been expected of an independent expert."
In his evidence, Astley said the betting on Paqueta "appears highly orchestrated".
The commission said the FA's legal counsel subsequently disagreed with Astley's assessment and was "thus abandoning, without further explanation, its case on orchestration".
The FA said 27 of the 253 bettors could be linked to the player, but Paqueta maintained he only had a real relationship with five of the people.
He said he did not speak to the five regularly, and even then, rarely about football.
The commission concluded that an analysis of the betting data was not "illustrative of a spot-fix" and added it was "in many respects inconsistent with a spot-fix, but consistent with alternative explanations".
Nick de Marco, part of Paqueta's legal team, said: "I remain delighted for my client Lucas, cleared of all the serious charges of spot-fixing.
"The decision is understood to be the longest sports-related judgment ever issued in the world - a reflection of how serious the case was, the amount of evidence deployed in what was the biggest case in the FA's history."
'Within the normal range of actions'
Ex-West Ham manager Moyes, now in charge of Everton, and former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg gave evidence on Paqueta's behalf from a performance perspective.
Moyes said he had "re-watched the yellow card incidents closely" and "consider them to be entirely within the normal range of actions for this player".
Clattenburg disagreed with findings presented by Stats Perform Integrity Services (SPIS) in support of the FA's case, and felt two of the four yellow cards should not have been shown.
"Each challenge is comfortably within the sphere of things that happen multiple times every match, both individually and when taken in conjunction with each other," Clattenburg said.
The commission concluded there was "nothing in Paqueta's on-field conduct" which advanced the FA's case that he had deliberately sought to be booked in any of the four games.
The commission found the FA's inability to locate one item of data from either of the player's mobile phones that even mentioned betting or had any connection to one of the four games related to the charges was a significant point in favour of Paqueta's defence and indicated he was being truthful about his lack of interest in gambling.
The FA accepted it could not be proved Paqueta had deliberately deleted any messages or contacts.
More than 300 deleted messages were recovered, none of which had anything to do with spot-fixing.
The commission said this was "a salient reminder to the commission not to jump to conclusions and the dangers of drawing adverse inferences from events unknown".
BBC
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Another club turned down by Zinédine Zidane
Free since his departure from Real Madrid in 2021, Zinédine Zidane has once again said no to a club.
While waiting to take over from Didier Deschamps as head coach of the French national team, Zinédine Zidane remains without a team. Several clubs even tried to sign ZZ this summer.
According to information from FotoMaç, the former number 10 of Les Bleus was on Fenerbahçe's shortlist to succeed José Mourinho, who was dismissed a few days ago. But Zidane turned down the offer, as he continues to wait for the Tricolores. Since then, the Turkish club has set its sights on Domenico Tedesco.
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Free since his departure from Real Madrid in 2021, Zinédine Zidane has once again said no to a club.
While waiting to take over from Didier Deschamps as head coach of the French national team, Zinédine Zidane remains without a team. Several clubs even tried to sign ZZ this summer.
According to information from FotoMaç, the former number 10 of Les Bleus was on Fenerbahçe's shortlist to succeed José Mourinho, who was dismissed a few days ago. But Zidane turned down the offer, as he continues to wait for the Tricolores. Since then, the Turkish club has set its sights on Domenico Tedesco.
Another club turned down by Zinédine Zidane
Free since his departure from Real Madrid in 2021, Zinédine Zidane has once again said no to a club.While waiting to take over from Didier Deschamps as head coach of the French national team, Zinédine
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Cardiff to host opening match of Euro 2028
Cardiff will host the opening game of Euro 2028, with the semi-finals and final scheduled to take place at London's Wembley Stadium.Nine venues across four host nations - England, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland - will stage the 24-team tournament.
Northern Ireland was also set to be a host nation but Belfast's Casement Park was removed as an option because of a lack of funding.
Uefa's decision to play the first game in the Welsh capital was confirmed as the tournament was officially launched in London on Wednesday.
Football Association of Wales chief executive Noel Mooney said: "This will be the first time that 'The Red Wall' - our passionate Wales fans - will experience a major international tournament on home soil.
"It's a truly historic occasion that will unite communities, inspire future generations and showcase the very best of Welsh football and culture on the world stage."
Unlike in previous Euros, host nations will have to qualify for the 2028 tournament, however, they would be guaranteed to play their group games on home turf if they do so directly.
The four host nations will each be in separate qualifying groups, with two spots also allocated to the highest-ranked of those sides who don't make it from their various qualification routes.
The quarter-finals will be held at Cardiff's Principality Stadium, the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Glasgow's Hampden Park and Wembley - which was also used as a semi-final and final venue in 1996, and for the delayed 2020 edition.
Manchester City's Etihad Stadium, where the Three Lions would play their opening group game if they qualify directly, before switching to Wembley, is one of five other stadiums being used in England.
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Villa Park, Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium and St James' Park in Newcastle are the others that will be utilised across the 51 matches overall.
The last-16 games will take place at each host stadium except Wembley, meaning England will play at St James' Park if they win their group, or Hill Dickinson Stadium if they finish second.
The qualifying draw will take place in Belfast on 6 December 2026.
Debbie Hewitt, chair of UK & Ireland 2028 Limited, promised to deliver the "best ever" European Championship.
She added: "It will be a tournament for the fans and a festival of everything we love about the game - its passion and ability to bring people together."
Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin said: "The host nations, where the game first took shape, are eager to welcome millions of fans into legendary stadiums, providing the right stage for a festival of emotions."
A small pro-Palestine protest took place outside the event, with demonstrators chanting against Israel's membership of European football's governing body Uefa.
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Hakimi and Chebbak named African players of the year
Morocco right-back Achraf Hakimi has been crowned the 2025 African Footballer of the Year at the Confederation of African Football (Caf) Awards in Rabat on a successful night for the host nation.The 27-year-old beat Egypt captain Mohamed Salah and Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen after helping club side Paris St-Germain to the French title and a maiden Champions League trophy.
Hakimi, who missed out on the top spot in 2023 and 2024, became the first Moroccan to win the award since Mustapha Hadji in 1998.
Meanwhile, Morocco captain Ghizlane Chebbak won the women's prize, surprisingly seeing off Nigeria captain Rasheedat Ajibade and Atlas Lionesses team-mate Sanaa Mssoudy.
The winners are voted for by a panel of experts which includes members of Caf's technical committee plus African media professionals, players and coaches.
Hakimi targets Afcon glory
Hakimi is a deserved winner of the award after his fine performances for both his national side and PSG, including scoring the opener as the French club beat Inter Milan 5-0 in the Champions League final.
His side also won the Uefa Super Cup, Coupe de France and the French Super Cup last term, but were beaten in the Fifa Club World Cup final by Chelsea.
"It's really an honour for me to win this prestigious trophy," he said. "This trophy is not just for me - it is for all the Africans that have dreams."
However, the defender is now facing a race to be fit for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) on home soil after damaging ankle ligaments earlier this month in the Champions League tie with Bayern Munich.
Hakimi hopped up the steps on to the stage before accepting his award from Caf president Patrice Motsepe and Fifa counterpart Gianni Infantino, making sure not to put weight on his injured left foot.
He has been front and centre in promoting this year's finals as Morocco aim to claim the continental title for the first time since 1976.
"We will do our best to win the Afcon trophy," added Hakimi. "I'd like to thank my physiotherapists and those that support me in this difficult period."
Chebbak makes it Moroccan double
Chebbak made history as the first Moroccan to win the women's award since it was first established in 2001.
The 35-year-old midfielder finished as the top scorer at this year's delayed 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations, including netting a stunning goal in the final.
Yet the Atlas Lionesses were beaten 3-2 by Nigeria, and Ajibade had been heavily tipped to take the prize after being named player of the tournament as the Super Falcons won a record-extending 10th continental title.
"I am extremely delighted to receive this award," said Chebbak. "This is the fruit of a lot of hard work over the years."
However, there was success for the West Africans as Brighton's Chiamaka Nnadozie was named best goalkeeper for the third year in a row.
Cape Verde coach rewarded
Earlier in the ceremony in the Moroccan capital, Bubista was named men's coach of the year after guiding Cape Verde to a historic qualification for the 2026 Fifa World Cup.
"This is amazing," said the 55-year-old. "We are a small country but we have a big heart."
Meanwhile, Watford's Othmane Maamma scooped the men's young player of the year prize - having won the golden ball during Morocco's successful Under-20 World Cup campaign.
"We built a team which was able to win the World Cup and it is a thing of immense pride for me," added the 20-year-old midfielder.
"I have a lot of people to thank and am very emotional."
Kenyan President William Ruto, Tanzania President Samia Suluhu Hassan and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni were all handed outstanding achievement awards after their nations co-hosted the 2024 African Nations Championship in August.
The East African trio are set to stage the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
2025 Caf Awards winners
Men's Player of the Year: Achraf Hakimi (Paris St-Germain & Morocco)
Women's Player of the Year: Ghizlaine Chebbak (Al-Hilal & Morocco)
Men's Coach of the Year: Bubista (Cape Verde)
Men's Goalkeeper of the Year: Yassine Bonou (Al-Hilal & Morocco)
Women's Goalkeeper of the Year: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Brighton & Hove Albion & Nigeria)
Men's National Team of the Year: Morocco Under-20
Women's National Team of the Year: Nigeria
Men's Club of the Year: Pyramids (Egypt)
Men's Interclub Player of the Year: Fiston Mayele (Pyramids & DR Congo)
Men's Young Player of the Year: Othmane Maamma (Watford & Morocco)
Women's Young Player of the Year: Doha El Madani (AS FAR & Morocco)
Goal of the Year (voted for by fans): Clement Mzize for Young Africans vs TP Mazembe.
The women's coach of the year, interclub player of the year and club of the year will be announced after the culmination of the ongoing 2025 Women's African Champions League.
Source: BBC
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Ecuador defender Pineida killed in shooting
Ecuador defender Mario Pineida has died at the age of 33 after being shot in Guayaquil.Local media reported that Pineida was shot on Wednesday by two people on motorbikes who opened fire on him, his mother and another woman outside a shop in the north of the city.
Ecuador's interior ministry said it has sent a special police unit to investigate.
Guayaquil has become a hotspot for gang violence and drug trafficking, with 1,900 murders recorded between January and September - the highest in Ecuador.
Three second-tier footballers were killed in September and a local player was wounded in a shooting in October.
Pineida won nine caps for Ecuador between 2014 and 2021.
He began his club career at Independiente DV before moving to Barcelona SC in Guayaquil in 2016.
He also spent time on loan at Fluminese and El Nacional.
Independiente and Fluminese paid tribute to Pineida on social media, while Barcelona SC said "this unfortunate news makes all of us who are part of this institution deeply dismayed".
In a statement, the Ecuadorian Football Federation condemned the violence and passed on condolences to Pineida's family.
Source: BBC
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Ecuador defender Pineida killed in shooting
Ecuador defender Mario Pineida has died at the age of 33 after being shot in Guayaquil.
Local media reported that Pineida was shot on Wednesday by two people on motorbikes who opened fire on him, his mother and another woman outside a shop in the north of the city.
Ecuador's interior ministry said it has sent a special police unit to investigate.
Guayaquil has become a hotspot for gang violence and drug trafficking, with 1,900 murders recorded between January and September - the highest in Ecuador.
Three second-tier footballers were killed in September and a local player was wounded in a shooting in October.
Pineida won nine caps for Ecuador between 2014 and 2021.
He began his club career at Independiente DV before moving to Barcelona SC in Guayaquil in 2016.
He also spent time on loan at Fluminese and El Nacional.
Independiente and Fluminese paid tribute to Pineida on social media, while Barcelona SC said "this unfortunate news makes all of us who are part of this institution deeply dismayed".
In a statement, the Ecuadorian Football Federation condemned the violence and passed on condolences to Pineida's family.
Ecuador defender Mario Pineida has died at the age of 33 after being shot in Guayaquil.
Local media reported that Pineida was shot on Wednesday by two people on motorbikes who opened fire on him, his mother and another woman outside a shop in the north of the city.
Ecuador's interior ministry said it has sent a special police unit to investigate.
Guayaquil has become a hotspot for gang violence and drug trafficking, with 1,900 murders recorded between January and September - the highest in Ecuador.
Three second-tier footballers were killed in September and a local player was wounded in a shooting in October.
Pineida won nine caps for Ecuador between 2014 and 2021.
He began his club career at Independiente DV before moving to Barcelona SC in Guayaquil in 2016.
He also spent time on loan at Fluminese and El Nacional.
Independiente and Fluminese paid tribute to Pineida on social media, while Barcelona SC said "this unfortunate news makes all of us who are part of this institution deeply dismayed".
In a statement, the Ecuadorian Football Federation condemned the violence and passed on condolences to Pineida's family.
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- Feb 14, 2018
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- 7,111
Brazil legend Roberto Carlos recovering in hospital
Brazil and Real Madrid legend Roberto Carlos is "recovering well" after undergoing what he described as "a preventative medical procedure".The former left-back, 52, updated fans on his condition via his Instagram page, which included a picture of him smiling in a hospital bed.
He also denied rumours that he had suffered a heart attack.
"I would like to clarify recent information that has been circling," he wrote.
"I recently underwent a preventative medical procedure, planned in advance with my medical team. The procedure was successful, and I am well. I did not suffer a heart attack.
"I am recovering well, and looking forward to returning to full fitness and resuming my professional and personal commitments soon.
"I sincerely thank everyone for the messages of support, care, and concern. I would like to reassure everyone that there is no cause for concern.
"My heartfelt thanks go to the entire medical team who took care of me."
Carlos won four La Liga titles and three Champions Leagues across 527 appearances for Real Madrid, and lifted the World Cup with Brazil in 2002.
Renowned as a free-kick specialist, his other clubs included Palmeiras, Inter Milan, Fenerbahce and Corinthians.
Source: BBC
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Former England boss Keegan diagnosed with cancer
Former England striker and manager Kevin Keegan has been diagnosed with cancer.
The 74-year-old had an illustrious playing career which included spells at Liverpool, Hamburg, Southampton and Newcastle United, while he twice won the European Footballer of the Year award.
Keegan moved into management after ending his playing career and had stints in charge of Newcastle United, Fulham, England and Manchester City.
www.bbc.com
Former England striker and manager Kevin Keegan has been diagnosed with cancer.
The 74-year-old had an illustrious playing career which included spells at Liverpool, Hamburg, Southampton and Newcastle United, while he twice won the European Footballer of the Year award.
Keegan moved into management after ending his playing career and had stints in charge of Newcastle United, Fulham, England and Manchester City.
Kevin Keegan diagnosed with cancer: Former England player and manager undergoing treatment
Former England striker and manager Kevin Keegan has been diagnosed with cancer and is receiving treatment.
www.bbc.com
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Leeds and Wales legend Yorath dies aged 75
Former Leeds United and Wales midfielder Terry Yorath has died at the age of 75 following a short illness.Yorath scored 11 goals in 199 appearances for Leeds, his first professional club, in a nine-year spell from 1967.
He won the First Division title with Leeds in 1974 and earned a runners-up medal in the FA Cup, European Cup and Cup Winners' Cup.
He played 59 times for Wales, 42 as captain, before leading them to the brink of the 1994 World Cup finals as manager, only to see his team beaten 2-1 by Romania in their final qualifier.
Yorath had spells as a player with Coventry City, Tottenham Hotspur, Vancouver Whitecaps and Bradford City, before finishing his playing career with a solitary appearance for Swansea City.
The father of BBC Sport presenter Gabby Logan, Yorath was a player-coach of Bradford on the day of the Valley Parade fire in 1985, which killed 56 fans and injured 270.
In addition to Gabby, Yorath had three other children - Daniel, Louise and Jordan.
In 1992, Daniel died aged 15 from the genetic heart condition hypertrophic cardiomyopathy while playing football at home with his father.
"To most he was a revered footballing hero, but to us he was dad; a quiet, kind and gentle man. Our hearts are broken but we take comfort knowing that he will be reunited with our brother, Daniel," Yorath's children said in a statement.
Gabby was presenting Match of the Day on Wednesday night but left during the broadcast and was replaced by Mark Chapman, who said his co-host had to leave for a "family emergency".
After hanging up his boots, Yorath moved into management and had spells in charge of Swansea, Wales, Bradford, Cardiff, Lebanon, Sheffield Wednesday and Margate.
He steered Swansea to promotion from the Fourth Division in 1988, before almost guiding Wales to a first World Cup finals since 1958.
"He had great leadership qualities," former Wales and Cardiff striker Nathan Blake told Radio Wales Breakfast.
"He expected a lot of professionalism, but you could have a joke with him, he could wind you up. He was a fatherly figure.
"Players like Kevin Ratcliffe and [Ian] Rush had huge respect for him."
Leeds United said they were "devastated" to hear of Yorath's passing, adding: "Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Terry's family, friends and former team-mates at this incredibly sad time."
Yorath managed Wales for 41 games and led them to 16 victories, including wins against Italy and Brazil.
"The thoughts of everyone connected to the association are with Terry's family, friends and loved ones," the Football Association of Wales posted on X.
Former Bradford striker Dean Windass wrote on X: "Sad news, great man and a gentleman. Thoughts go to his family RIP."
"He was a fantastic person, with a great family," former Manchester United and Wales midfielder Clayton Blackmore told Radio Wales Breakfast.
"He was proud of all his kids, like Gabby [Logan]. I think that's all you can ask for as an adult. He was a fantastic guy and he'll be sadly missed."
First Minister of Wales Eluned Morgan said: "Football fans across Wales will never forget his feats as a player and especially as our national coach."
Yorath spent 44 games in charge of Margate FC, who posted on X: "Our thoughts are with the friends and family of Terry at this difficult time."
Source: BBC
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