Disgraced former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has denied allegations that he benefitted improperly from bonus payments over the last five years.
On Friday, lawyers conducting an internal investigation at world football s governing body claimed that Blatter and fellow disgraced former officials Jerome Valcke and Markus Kattner benefitted improperly from bonuses totalling 79million Swiss francs (£55m).
Law firm Quinn Emanuel believe two clauses in contract extensions granted to ex-secretary general Valcke and former deputy secretary general Kattner in April 2011, shortly before Blatter s re-election ahead of Mohammed Bin Hamman, contravened mandatory Swiss Law.
Quinn Emanuel stated that the evidence appears to reveal a coordinated effort by three former top officia…
FIFA has announced that AS Pirae from Tahiti will replace Auckland City at the Club World Cup due to COVID-19 rules in New Zealand.
Auckland were set to participate at the 18th edition of FIFA s global tournament, which is due to take place in February in the United Arab Emirates.
Champions League winners Chelsea and Copa Libertadores holders Palmeiras are the headline teams as UEFA and CONMEBOL s respective entries, though FIFA has been forced into a late change with Pirae nominated as the OFC s representative following Auckland s withdrawal.
FIFA announced the decision on Friday in a statement that said the delayed reopening of the borders in New Zealand due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic as well as the reintroduction of quarantine protocols in the country ha…
Wigan Athletic have signed Aston Villa winger Marc Albrighton on a 28-day emergency loan.
The Championship club have secured the 23-year-old s services in time for him to face QPR on Wednesday.
And manager Owen Coyle was delighted to bring a player with Premier League experience into his squad.
Marc has shown what an outstanding player he is time and again in the Premier League, and he is someone I have tried to sign in the past, so I m delighted to bring him on board to strengthen our squad, he told the club s official website.
He s at a young age with the potential and scope to get even better; he s quick, dangerous and pleasing on the eye and I feel he s going to really enhance the attacking options we have at Wigan Athletic, particularly in light of Shaun Mal…
Dusan Vlahovic will always be grateful to Fiorentina and is calm ahead of his first return to Florence, according to Juventus head coach Massimiliano Allegri.
The Serbia international joined Juve for an initial €70million free in January, bringing an end to a three-and-a-half-year stay at Stadio Artemio Franchi.
Vlahovic had previously turned down the offer of a new contract with Fiorentina, forcing the club s hand somewhat as he had just 18 months to run on his existing deal.
After reportedly rejecting proposals from Premier League sides Arsenal, Tottenham and Newcastle United among others, Vlahovic instead opted for Serie A rivals Juventus.
Having also lost Federico Bernardeschi and Federico Chiesa to Juve in recent years, Vlahovic s choice of club di…
Shinji Kagawa is focused on performing for Japan at the FIFA World Cup rather than impressing new Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal.
The arrival of the Dutchman could give Kagawa a new lease of life after a frustrating campaign under David Moyes, but the Japan international is concentrating on helping his country out of Group C in Brazil first and foremost.
Kagawa only made 14 starts in the Premier League last season but does not believe there is added pressure on him to impress his new boss in the World Cup.
,And the former Borussia Dortmund man and is confident he can rise to the occasion on the big stage in Brazil.
I m not using the World Cup as a place to showcase myself for (van Gaal), said the 25-year-old. I ll deal with that after this tournament is…
Aston Villa have confirmed the signing of Emiliano Buendia from Norwich City in a club-record transfer.
The Midlands club saw off competition from Arsenal to sign the 24-year-old for a fee believed to be in the region of £35million with a further £5m of add-ons also included in the deal.
Reacting to the news, Villa manager Dean Smith told the club s official website: Emiliano has just completed an outstanding season in a Championship-winning Norwich side with 31 combined goals and assists and was named Player of the Season across the league.
He is equally capable as a wide attacker or as a number 10 and is a great addition to our attacking options. We are delighted to have made such an exciting signing so early in the summer and look forward to Emi joining up …
Chinese Super League club Jiangsu Suning have rejected reports they made an offer worth ¥1billion (€8.8m) for Inter defender Yuto Nagatomo.
The Japan international, 30, has been with Inter since 2011 and signed a new contract earlier this year to tie him to San Siro until June 2019.
Reports in Japan had suggested Jiangsu were looking to make Nagatomo their latest big-money signing following moves for the likes of Alex Teixeira and Ramires.
However, Jiangsu insist they are happy to stick with the high-profile players they have already brought in from overseas.
Contrary to Japanese media reports, Jiangsu Suning football club would like to clarify that no offer was made to Japan international Yuto Nagatomo regarding a move in the winter transfer window…
Palermo striker Abel Hernandez has revealed he is hoping to join a big European club in the summer transfer window.
The Uruguayan was expected to leave the Rosanero last summer after the club were relegated to Serie B, but he ultimately decided to stay on for another season.
But, having finally kick-started his career, the 23-year-old admits he is likely to leave Palermo at the end of the current campaign.
I dream of Newcastle, Real or Atletico for the future, Hernandez confessed to La Gazzetta dello Sport.
(In the summer) I decided to stay because I owed it to (Palermo owner) Maurizio Zamparini and the fans.
Hernandez joined Palermo from Penarol in January 2009 and he showed a lot of promise at the start of his career at Stadio Renzo Barbera.…
Cagliari coach Claudio Ranieri has called for his side to be calm when they take on AC Milan looking to kickstart their Serie A campaign.
Defeat at Atalanta on Sunday was a third in five league games for Ranieri’s side, who sit second bottom of the table.
Cagliari, promoted last season, have scored just one goal in September and have only two points on the board.
Vittoria dei padroni di casa.
— Cagliari Calcio (@CagliariCalcio)
Ranieri, though, is confident results will follow if his side can produce the right mindset.
“The boys are working well, we must move forward with confidence, without fear of making mistakes and doing what we prepare,” Ranieri told reporters.
“We expected a tough start, the schedule is clear, we…
Best Odds: 5/6
Bookmaker:
In a showdown between two sides who find themselves battling it out at opposite ends of the Serie A table, Juventus will make the trip to Genoa on Friday night.
Genoa
Starting with the hosts, crashing back down to earth last weekend with another flat display, it appears that Genoa are freefalling their way out of Serie A this season. Last seen getting hit with a 1-0 loss away at Sampdoria, the Grifone find themselves sat down in 19th and two points adrift of breaking out of the relegation zone. Knowing that they face a tough end to the 2021/22 campaign as they face back-to-back meetings against Juventus and Napoli, Head Coach Alexander Blessin will be desperate for his side to pull off a miracle here. While Genoa might have managed to …