ROME: European football governing body UEFA is set to refuse AC Milan’s application for a voluntary agreement regarding Financial Fair Play rules, Italian press said on Thursday.
With a loss of some 255 million euros ($300m) over the last three seasons, fallen Italian giants Milan are some way from complying with UEFA’s limit of 30 million euros in losses over that same period.
Chinese-owned Milan had been hoping for a negotiated agreement to avoid incurring any penalties but La Gazzetto dello Sport claimed that “UEFA says no to Milan’s plan” and described it as “a tough blow for the rossonero club.”
Milan responded by saying they had “always said we’re ready to face the other side of the coin,” meaning they are prepared to sign a “settlement agreement” with UEFA.
Settlement agreements are financial penalties and squad and salary restrictions imposed on clubs that fail to adhere to UEFA’s rules.
The most severe handed out so far were to Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City in 2013/14 when both were fined 60 million euros (40 million of which was later refunded) and had their 25-man European competition squads reduced to 21 players.
Such sanctions only come into play if teams qualify for Europe and Milan are currently eighth in Serie A, five points and two places off a Europa League berth.
Despite a 200-million-euro investment from Chinese owner Li Yonghong during the close season, Milan have stuttered badly after a strong start saw them win four of their first five matches, recording just two victories in their 10 league encounters since.
UEFA to reject Milan’s voluntary settlement: reports
UEFA to reject Milan’s voluntary settlement: reports
Mauresmo defends French Open schedule and women’s primetime snub
- Ons Jabeur hit out at the same issue last year, and stood by her words this week
- “The message has never been that the girls are not worthy to play at night,” said Mauresmo
PARIS: Tournament director Amelie Mauresmo said on Friday it was impossible to “tick every box” after repeated criticism of the French Open schedule and the absence of any women’s matches in the primetime night session.
The debate over the lack of women’s ties played in the late slot on Court Philippe Chatrier has rumbled on since the session was first added to the French Open schedule in 2021.
The first six night sessions of this year’s tournament have all involved men’s matches. In fact, no women have played in the evening since Aryna Sabalenka beat Sloane Stephens in the fourth round two years ago.
Second seed Coco Gauff said she believed women’s matches were “worthy” of the occasion, after three-time Grand Slam finalist Ons Jabeur again took officials to task over the scheduling.
The Tunisian hit out at the same issue last year, and stood by her words this week.
“I hope whoever is making the decision, I don’t think they have daughters, because I don’t think they want to treat their daughters like this,” said Jabeur, who lost in the first round.
Mauresmo, a former world number one who won the Australian Open and Wimbledon, said her stance on the matter had not changed — with the night session still consisting of just one match.
“The message has never been that the girls are not worthy to play at night,” said Mauresmo.
“I’m talking, and we are talking about potential match lengths. Since men’s tennis is played at the best-of-five sets, three sets will be played at a minimum.”
The Australian and US Opens both put on two matches in their night sessions, but start earlier and run the risk of finishing in the early hours of the morning.
“If we have two matches in the night session, it doesn’t work in terms of how late the players are going to finish. That’s my opinion,” said Mauresmo.
“If we start earlier, the stands are going to be empty in most of the first match. So we keep this one match in the evening, it’s not ideal.
“We can’t tick every box because we have many things to take into account when we are doing these choices.”
US-based group completes Rangers takeover
- The consortium of investors, led by Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises, purchased a majority 51 percent stake in the Glasgow team
- Rangers said the Scottish Football Association approved the deal late on Thursday night
GLASGOW: A United States-based group completed their takeover of Scottish Premiership club Rangers on Friday and immediately pledged to make a £20 million ($26 million) investment in new signings.
The consortium of investors, led by Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises, purchased a majority 51 percent stake in the Glasgow team.
Funding for the close-season signings will come in the form of a new share issue, subject to shareholder approval at a general meeting on June 23.
Healthcare executive Cavenagh is Rangers’ new chairman, while Paraag Marathe, who is chairman of Premier League side Leeds United and the president of 49ers Enterprises, becomes the vice-chairman.
Rangers said the Scottish Football Association approved the deal late on Thursday night after the club sought consent over dual ownership issues.
Sports investment firm 49ers Enterprises also owns a majority stake in Leeds, who won promotion from the Championship this season.
The deal will allow Rangers to step up their recruitment of a new manager.
Real Madrid’s departing assistant manager Davide Ancelotti and former Southampton boss Russell Martin are among the leading contenders for the job following the departure of interim boss Barry Ferguson.
“We are deeply grateful for the trust placed in us by the Rangers board, shareholders, staff, and supporters,” Cavenagh said.
“This club’s history and traditions speak for themselves, but history doesn’t win matches.
“We know that the true way to honor the club’s heritage will be to drive performance.
“Our focus is simple: elevate performance, deliver results, and bring Rangers back to where it belongs — at the top.”
Rangers finished second in the Scottish Premier League this season, trailing 17 points behind Old Firm rivals Celtic, and failed to win a trophy.
Rangers haven’t won the Scottish title since 2021, with Celtic lifting the trophy 13 times in the last 14 seasons.
Ending Celtic’s dominance will be the top priority for Rangers’ new owners.
Marathe added: “At 49ers Enterprises, we have built a track record of sporting and business success, but our driving motivation is our deep connection to the clubs and communities we serve.”
Aryna Sabalenka powers into French Open fourth round
- The Belarusian dominated her opponent from the start and although she faced some brief resistance in the second set
PARIS: World number one Aryna Sabalenka’s French Open quest continued as she powered into the fourth round with a 6-2 6-3 victory against Serbia’s Olga Danilovic on Friday.
The Belarusian dominated her opponent from the start and although she faced some brief resistance in the second set, she easily set up a meeting with 16th seed Amanda Anisimova of the United States.
“I am super happy with the win, Olga is a fighter and I knew it would be a fight. She played like a top 10 player; pretty soon she will be in the top 10,” said Sabalenka.
Sabalenka started in ruthless fashion, racing to a 5-0 lead but Danilovic avoided the bagel by winning the sixth game on serve, going on to pull a break back.
The resurgence was shortlived, however, as Sabalenka wrapped up the opening set with another break of serve.
Danilovic put up a decent fight in the second set but there was no comeback on the cards as Sabalenka broke for 5-3.
The three-time Grand Slam champion wrapped it up with an unreturnable serve on a half-empty Court Philippe Chatrier – a common occurrence on early matches at the French Open.
Driver charged with Liverpool football parade tragedy appears in court
- Prosecutors have charged him with dangerous driving and six serious offenses alleging grievous bodily harm
- The charges are related to two boys, two women and two men who were among the 79 people injured Monday during celebrations of Liverpool’s Premier League championship
LONDON: A driver charged with multiple counts of intentionally causing grievous bodily harm for ramming into a crowd of Liverpool football fans celebrating their team’s Premier League championship was ordered held in custody Friday at his first court appearance.
Paul Doyle, wearing a black suit, white shirt and gray tie, looked emotional as he spoke only to confirm his name, address and birth date in a hearing in Liverpool Magistrates’ Court. He did not enter a plea.
Doyle, 53, faces a charge of dangerous driving and six serious offenses alleging he caused or tried to cause grievous bodily harm. The charges carry a maximum sentence of life in prison if he is convicted.
The father of three bowed his head as the charges were read. The counts are related to the injuries of two boys, two women and two men who were among the 79 people injured Monday. The victims ranged in age from 9 to 78, police said. Seven people remained hospitalized Thursday.
District Judge Paul Healey put an order in place restricting the publication of victims’ names.
Doyle was ordered to appear later in the day in Liverpool Crown Court.
The city had been celebrating Liverpool’s record-tying 20th title when Doyle turned down a street full of fans and joy quickly turned to tragedy. Police said they believed Doyle got past a road block by following an ambulance that was trying to reach a possible heart attack victim.
Videos showed the car hit and toss a person wrapped in a red Liverpool flag into the air and then swerve into a sea of people packed on the side of the road.
At least four people, including a child, had to be freed from beneath the vehicle when it came to a halt.
The driver was believed to have acted alone and terrorism was not suspected, Merseyside Police said. They have not disclosed an alleged motive for the act.
Real Madrid sign Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool
- Real Madrid have signed defender Trent Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool on a deal until 2031, the Spanish giants said on Friday
MADRID: Real Madrid have signed defender Trent Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool on a deal until 2031, the Spanish giants said on Friday.
The 26-year-old England international’s contract at Anfield was drawing to an end but Madrid paid a fee to bring him in earlier so he can play in the Club World Cup.
Right-back Alexander-Arnold, who has just won the Premier League title with Liverpool, came through the academy of his boyhood club and won the Champions League in 2019.
He also won the Premier League in 2020 and 352 appearances for the club.
The defender joins former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso at Real Madrid, with the Spaniard appointed as their new coach to replace Carlo Ancelotti.
Alexander-Arnold’s close connections to Liverpool meant that his announcement that he was leaving the club was viewed with disgust by some supporters and he was booed in the penultimate match of the season.
But after club figures including former manager Jurgen Klopp and Mohamed Salah urged fans to remember the contribution he has made to Liverpool’s success over the last six years, he was roundly cheered when he lifted the Premier League trophy at Anfield last Sunday.
The defender joins a Real Madrid side which failed to win a major trophy this season.
Alexander-Arnold has been criticized for his defensive concentration at times but brings supreme passing vision and attacking edge down the right flank.
Real Madrid have struggled at right-back this season with Dani Carvajal recovering from a long-term knee injury and winger Lucas Vazquez enduring a torrid time there out of position.
Alexander-Arnold could make his Real Madrid debut when they face Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal in their opening Club World Cup match on June 18 in Miami.
Real Madrid have also signed Spanish center-back Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth as they look to bolster a back-line which was ravaged by injury this season.
