Category Uncategorized

أعلن نادي ليفربول، عبر موقعه الرسمي بشبكة الإنترنت، تغيير مواعيد 3 مباريات للفريق في بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، خلال فترة عيد الميلاد ورأس السنة الجديدة.

ويحتل ليفربول حاليًا المركز السابع في جدول الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، في الوقت الحالي، برصيد 15 نقطة.

ويعاني ليفربول مؤخرًا من سوء النتائج حيث خسر في 4 مباريات متتالية، في الدوري الإنجليزي، أمام كل من كريستال بالاس، تشيلسي، مانشستر يونايتد وبرينتفورد.

اقرأ أيضًا | المرشحون لجائزة أفضل لاعب في العالم 2025.. موقف محمد صلاح

وحسبما جاء عبر موقع ليفربول، فقد تم إعادة جدولة 3 من مباريات كتيبة آرني سلوت في الدوري الإنجليزي خلال فترة عيد الميلاد ورأس السنة الجديدة، على النحو التالي:

ليفربول ضد ليدز يونايتد، الخميس 1 يناير (7:30 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة، 8:30 بتوقيت السعودية).

فولهام ضد ليفربول، الأحد 4 يناير (5:00 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة، 6 بتوقيت السعودية).

آرسنال ضد ليفربول، الخميس 8 يناير (10 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة، 11 بتوقيت السعودية).

Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann has addressed sensational reports linking Thomas Muller with a World Cup assistant coach role. While praising the veteran's coaching potential, Nagelsmann has definitively ruled out a reunion for the 2026 tournament, citing Muller's contractual obligations and success with the Vancouver Whitecaps.

• Nagelsmann praises Muller's coaching potential but rules out 2026 role

  Nagelsmann has addressed speculation linking Muller with a position on his coaching staff, calling the player a future candidate but ruling him out for the 2026 World Cup. Talking to , Nagelsmann praised his former protege's suitability for a coaching role but confirmed Muller's playing commitments with Vancouver Whitecaps make any involvement next summer impossible.

  "Thomas is definitely a candidate who could hold such a position," Nagelsmann said. "What isn't there now can become one day in the future. He has what it takes to be a head coach." 

  However, Nagelsmann explained the logistical hurdles, noting: "He still has a contract in Canada until winter 2026. The coach won't be so thrilled if Thomas says: 'Yes, I'll come two or three weeks later because I still want to be an assistant coach.'"

Advertisement

• Getty
  

  MLS director credited with floating the idea

  The prospect of Muller joining the national team setup was first raised by Ernst Tanner, the sporting director of MLS side Philadelphia Union. Tanner endorsed the move, saying to : "Basically, I'm a fan of innovative ideas." His comments sparked the debate about whether the decorated veteran could be integrated into Nagelsmann's backroom team for the tournament.

• Muller focused on trophy-laden spell in Vancouver

  Nagelsmann confirmed he has been in contact with Muller and that the forward is enjoying his time in Major League Soccer. 

  "I've spoken with him a few times; he's having a great time in Vancouver right now, he's playing well, scoring a lot of goals, providing a lot of assists. And he's trying to advance football there," the Germany boss added. 

  Muller recently became the most decorated German footballer in history, winning his 35th career trophy after scoring in the Canadian Championship final to lead the Vancouver Whitecaps to victory.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty Images
  

  What next for Muller and the German national team?

  While Nagelsmann has left the door open for a future collaboration, Muller will not be in the dugout for the 2026 World Cup. His focus remains on his playing career with the Whitecaps, where his contract runs until the end of 2026. Nagelsmann concluded definitively: "I'm going out on a limb here: he won't be taking on a position as assistant coach this summer – neither for me nor for any other coach." 

  Germany will therefore proceed with their existing coaching staff as they continue their World Cup qualification campaign.

Mumbai have begun IPL 2025 with totals of 155 and 160 leaving their captain wanting more from the batters

ESPNcricinfo staff29-Mar-20251:48

Rapid fire review: Serious concerns for Mumbai?

Mumbai Indians (MI) are 0/2 in IPL 2025 and their captain Hardik Pandya has a few leaks to plug. After a 36-run defeat to Gujarat Titans (GT) on Saturday, he said he was concerned that his team has been committing “basic errors” and that his batters have yet to come to the party.On an Ahmedabad pitch that slowed down as the game progressed, MI let the opposition get away to a rapid start. Shubman Gill and B Sai Sudharsan were able to put on 66 runs in the powerplay and Hardik felt MI had already fallen behind.”They batted brilliantly,” Hardik said at the post-match presentation. “The way they both batted was quite exceptional. You know, they didn’t take chances. They hit good boundaries. They did the right stuff. I think in the powerplay, without high-risk shots, they were able to get those runs. I think that made us go a little [on the] back foot and I think from that time onwards, we were doing catch up.”Related

Hardik the bowler gets the better of Gill the batter, again

Gujarat Titans show how home advantage is done

Blog: Gujarat Titans off the mark with a thumping win over Mumbai Indians

Gill second-fastest behind Gayle to reach 1000 IPL runs at a single venue

Gill, the GT captain, said that they picked a black-soil surface for the game because it “fits our batting and bowling more than the red-soil wicket”. Essentially, the home team opted for conditions that made it hard to hit through the line of the ball.MI felt that when they batted. Hardik, coming in at the end of the 13th over, faced 17 deliveries for just 11 runs. “Definitely, I was just thinking that,” he said in response to a question about whether GT learned from his own bowling effort where he took pace off and found success (2 for 29).”Maybe I bowled way too many balls – they were able to see that it’s gripping. On this wicket, I think those were the toughest balls because some were shooting down, some were bouncing and some were gripping. So when you have this much variable bounce or difference, I think as a batter it becomes difficult.”MI faced tricky conditions in their first game in Chennai as well, where they were able to score only 155 in conditions where the ball gripped a bit.”There should not be a concern [about the batting] but at the moment I think it is time,” Hardik said. “I mean, we all need to take responsibilities and it’s [at an] early stage. But at the same point of time, I think batters have to come to the party. And yeah, hopefully they come soon.”MI will play their next match at home, where conditions are likely to be much better for batting. They take on Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Monday.

Paris Saint-Germain have been hit by injury news as captain Marquinhos is ruled out for several weeks. The Brazilian defender will miss this weekend’s Ligue 1 clash with Auxerre and next week’s Champions League showdown against Barcelona. PSG must rely on backups to steady the defence ahead of a crucial European test.

• Marquinhos out as PSG face defensive headache

  PSG confirmed on Friday that Marquinhos will miss the Ligue 1 match against Auxerre and the Champions League trip to Barcelona due to a left quadriceps injury. The Brazilian who played full 90 minutes in the 1-0 loss to Marseille, joins a growing list of injured players, including Joao Neves, Desire Doue, and Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele. While Bradley Barcola returned to training and is expected to feature against Auxerre, the absence of Marquinhos leaves a major gap in the heart of PSG’s defence.

  The Ligue 1 giants released a statement on their website: "Friday, September 26th's medical update concerns Joao Neves, Desire Doue, Ousmane Dembele, and Marquinhos. Joao Neves, Desire Doue, Ousmane Dembele are continuing their rehabilitation process. Suffering from a left quadriceps issue, Marquinhos will remain in treatment for the coming weeks."

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  How the injury affects Enrique’s plans

  Marquinhos’ injury disrupts Luis Enrique’s plans ahead of one of PSG’s toughest tests this season. The 31-year-old has been a key figure in central defence, providing leadership and stability alongside partners such as Vitinha in midfield. His absence means young Ukrainian Illia Zabarnyi will likely step up, while Fabian Ruiz and Warren Zaire-Emery may be relied upon to maintain balance in midfield. For Les Parisiens, the challenge will be to defend cohesively without their captain against a Barcelona side looking to exploit any defensive frailties.

• Injury woes and key players on the comeback trail

  Barcola’s return offers a boost in attack, giving Enrique options down the wing. Meanwhile, Ruiz completed individual running sessions rather than full training, and Zaire-Emery remains a key candidate to hold midfield stability during Marquinhos’ absence.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• AFP
  

  Looking ahead to Auxerre and Barcelona

  PSG will host Auxerre this weekend with a makeshift defensive line and then travel to Estadio Olimpico Lluis Companys for the Champions League clash against Barca. Enrique must reorganise the backline and midfield to cover Marquinhos’ absence, while the team hopes their younger options can step up. The key will be maintaining defensive solidity while preserving attacking threats in Europe’s biggest stage.

Heung-min Son’s departure from Tottenham Hotspur was confirmed on Wednesday night, closing the curtain on what has been an incredible decade at the club for the South Korean.

He joined the Lilywhites from Bayer Leverkusen back in 2015, with no supporter able to predict the successful spell enjoyed in the first team in North London.

The forward made over 450 appearances for the club, scoring 173 times, a tally that puts him fourth in the club’s all-time highest goalscoring list – joining former teammate Harry Kane in the top five.

However, it was undoubtedly the perfect time to depart the club, helping them end their 17-year wait for a trophy by claiming the Europa League title last season.

There’s no doubt he will be a huge miss, leaving a huge hole in the attacking department, which could see boss Thomas Frank delve into the transfer market in the coming days.

The latest on Spurs’ hunt for new additions this summer

Real Madrid star Rodrygo has been strongly touted with a move to join Spurs this summer, after he was made available for transfer by new boss Xabi Alonso.

It’s been reported in recent days that the Lilywhites are preparing an opening offer to land the 24-year-old, who scored 14 times for the Spanish giants last season.

However, he’s not the only Brazilian currently on their radar, with Manchester City star Savinho a player they’re considering, according to GIVEMESPORT.

Their report claims no bid has yet been made for the 21-year-old, but Frank’s side have held internal talks for the forward, who registered 14 combined goals and assists in 2024/25.

It also states the player may fall down the pecking order at the Etihad throughout the upcoming campaign, which could see the attacker, who’s valued at £61m by FootballTransfers, depart Pep Guardiola’s side.

Why Spurs’ latest target would be the perfect Son & Kulu hybrid

Despite Son’s departure from Spurs, new boss Frank will be hoping to rely upon Dejan Kulusevski within the final third this season, with the Swede able to continue his tremendous form from the 2024/25 campaign.

The 25-year-old has had injury struggles in recent times and is expected to miss the start of the new campaign, but could prove to be a vital option if the side are to rise up the table in the near future.

The Swede registered 21 combined goals and assists in his 50 outings for the club last season, subsequently offering a versatile option within the attacking areas for the Lilywhites.

He can operate off either flank or in a number 10 position, something which could prove to be useful after it was confirmed James Maddison needed surgery on his ACL injury.

Savinho could also prove to be another key option, having similar levels of adaptability, able to feature across the frontline, which could see him be a suitable replacement for the outgoing South Korean.

He’s been labelled as a similar player to both Son and Kulusevski by FBref, managing to outperform the pair in numerous key areas – showcasing why he’d be such an excellent addition this window.

Savinho, who’s been labelled “unbelievable” by current boss Guardiola, completed more passes into the opposition box per 90, along with a higher tally of key passes – showcasing the creativity he possesses in attacking areas.

Games played

29

30

32

Goals & assists

9

16

11

Pass accuracy

81%

78%

73%

Key passes made

2.5

2.1

2.4

Passes into the 18-yard box

2.4

2.1

1.9

Progressive carries

7.1

4.1

4.3

Shot-creating actions

5.7

5.1

4.8

Take-on success

46%

34%

32%

Carries into the 18-yard box

3.8

1.8

1.5

Crosses completed

4.3

3.3

3.3

He also notched more progressive carries per 90, with more of his dribbles with the ball going into the 18-yard box, adding another direct option to Frank’s already potent front line.

The Brazilian achieved a better take-on success rate and completed more crosses per 90, arguably being the perfect blend of the departed Son and current first-team star Kulusevski.

It’s unclear how much City would be demanding to part ways with the 21-year-old this summer, but it’s clear that he would be an excellent option for Frank in his quest for success in North London.

If he can replicate the levels produced by the aforementioned duo at the Lilywhites, he will certainly be a fan favourite and one that can add a new dimension to the club’s attacking department.

The next Maddison: Spurs preparing approach for "exceptional" £22m talent

Tottenham Hotspur are set to make a move for a new attacking midfielder for Thomas Frank.

1 ByEthan Lamb Aug 6, 2025

Newcastle United find themselves in a delicate situation as the Premier League transfer window approaches its final weeks.

The Magpies are in urgent need of a striker to fill the void left by Alexander Isak, whose refusal to reintegrate with the squad has caused disruption ahead of the new season.

While the club has made several signings, including Anthony Elanga, Malick Thiaw, Aaron Ramsdale, a permanent solution in attack remains elusive.

Isak’s unsettled stance stems from an approach by Liverpool, and he has made it clear that he does not intend to train with Newcastle despite continuing to receive his reported £140k-per-week wages.

The side’s need for a replacement is immediate, although any potential new signing will not be available for their opening fixture against Aston Villa this Saturday.

Adding further complexity to Newcastle’s forward planning, the club recently missed out on Benjamin Sesko, who opted for Manchester United, while deals for other targets such as Yoane Wissa slowly edge towards completion.

This leaves Newcastle in a challenging position.

They must secure a striker capable of stepping into the squad and maintaining Premier League standards, without overpaying or rushing a decision.

Premier League striker keen on Newcastle switch

Enter a 24-year-old striker whose profile has drawn both excitement and cautious scrutiny.

Nicolas Jackson has emerged as a potential replacement, with his performances at Chelsea generating interest across Europe.

While there has been no formal bid from Newcastle yet, this “monster” of a player, as noted by John Obi Mikel, is reportedly ‘keen on a move’ to St James’ Park, as has been reported by Mark Douglas of the i.

Douglas notes that despite the striker’s willingness to move to Tyneside, the Magpies have yet to lodge a bid for the Blues exile.

If that deal does progress, the comparison to Anthony Gordon is unavoidable.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Expand Collapse

Gordon, who joined Newcastle from Everton in 2023 following an acrimonious exit, was initially considered a gamble by fans and pundits.

At the time, his record was respectable but not spectacular, with just seven goals scored at Goodison Park in all competitions.

However, since his move, Gordon has thrived under Eddie Howe, recording 22 goals and 23 assists in 106 appearances for the Magpies.

Jackson represents a similar gamble for Newcastle.

Like Gordon, he is young, somewhat untested, and carries a notable price tag – reportedly as much as £80m.

Yet the potential upside is significant, especially for a team seeking a clinical finisher to partner with the likes of Wissa this coming season.

Why Jackson could be another Gordon for Howe

To understand the potential for Jackson at Newcastle, it helps to examine Gordon’s trajectory.

At 24, Gordon’s profile mirrored Jackson’s in several ways: a relatively young player with talent but inconsistent performances at his previous club.

Gordon’s 2023/24 season was his breakthrough.

According to data from FBref, he produced 4.30 progressive carries per 90, 3.15 progressive passes per 90, and 4.45 shot-creating actions per 90.

He contributed significantly both in terms of attacking output and defensive work, registering 1.71 tackles and 0.84 blocks per 90.

Gordon’s touch volume in the attacking third (22.8 per 90) highlighted his influence in key areas, a benchmark Jackson may aim to emulate at Newcastle.

In 65 Premier League appearances for Chelsea, Jackson has scored 24 goals and contributed ten assists.

Notably, he was on the scoresheet in the Conference League final against Real Betis in May, underlining his capacity to perform on bigger stages.

While Jackson has demonstrated his attacking prowess, he has also attracted scrutiny for disciplinary issues, including red cards against Newcastle in a 2-0 defeat at St James’ Park and against Flamengo at the Club World Cup.

These incidents suggest an element of volatility, though they also reflect the intensity and commitment he brings to the pitch.

In terms of performance metrics, Jackson’s numbers, as per FBref, highlight a player capable of influencing games in multiple ways.

He averages 3.08 shots per 90 minutes, with 1.38 on target, translating to a 44.7% shot-on-target rate.

His progressive carries (1.90 per 90) and passes (1.54 per 90) are slightly lower than more creative forwards, but his shot-creating actions per 90 of 2.80 demonstrate his ability to generate opportunities.

Pass completion sits at a solid 75.9%, while his progressive passing distance per 90 of 35.8 meters shows an emerging ability to link play beyond the immediate attacking third.

Jackson – PL Stats 2024/25

Matches Played

30

Starts

28

Minutes Played

2,220

Goals

10

Assists

5

Shot on Target Percentage

44.7%

Pass Completion Rate

75.9%

Shot Creating Actions per 90

2.80

Tackles

22

Blocks

15

Yellow Cards

7

Red Cards

1

Source: FBref

Gordon’s success underscores the potential payoff of taking calculated risks on younger forwards with room for growth.

Just as Gordon has adapted and flourished under Howe’s management, Jackson could follow a similar path, benefiting from clear guidance, consistent playing time, and the confidence of the coaching staff.

What’s more, Newcastle’s interest in Jackson comes at a pivotal time The club is navigating the financial pressures of PSR while managing high-profile departures and arrivals.

Securing a striker who can hit the ground running, and potentially blossom into a top Premier League talent, is a priority.

Jackson’s style, combining physical presence with technical flair, could offer Howe tactical flexibility.

If Newcastle can integrate him effectively, Jackson might not only replace Isak but provide a long-term solution in attack.

Of course, there are risks.

Yet the upside is clear: a young, talented forward with a proven scoring record in Europe and the mentality to succeed under the right management.

For Newcastle, the gamble may well be worth taking, just as it was with Gordon a year ago.

Related More of a bully than Isak: Newcastle set to submit bid for £70m "monster"

Newcastle United target Champions League striker following Alexander Isak saga

Posts 3 ByWill Miller Aug 14, 2025

تمكن فريق مانشستر سيتي من تسجيل هدف أول في شباك نظيره آرسنال، في مباراتهما الجارية حاليًا في بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، موسم 2025/26.

ويستضيف ملعب “الإمارات” مباراة فريقي مانشستر سيتي وآرسنال، في قمة منافسات الجولة الخامسة من الدوري الإنجليزي.

ونجح مانشستر سيتي في تسجيل هدف أول في الدقيقة التاسعة من عمر الشوط الأول، عن طريق النجم إيرلينج هالاند.

جاء الهدف بعد هجمة مرتدة لصالح مانشستر سيتي، حيث استلم تيجاني ريندرز الكرة ومررها ببراعة ناحية هالاند، الذي سددها في شباك ديفيد رايا، معلنًا عن تقدم الضيوف. هدف هالاند في مباراة مانشستر سيتي وآرسنال

هالاند يفتتح التسجيل للسيتي ويشعل المباراة 🔥⚽️#الدوري_الإنجليزي | #آرسنال | #مانشستر_سيتي pic.twitter.com/0Q44j1PBV8 — beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) September 21, 2025

Manchester United have agreed a deal to sign a “talented” defender, and the Premier League have now approved the transfer, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Man Utd's transfer priority revealed

The Red Devils’ main priority this summer is to bring in a new striker, with Fiorentina’s Moise Kean being identified as a potential target, and it is clear to see why, with Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund scoring just seven league goals between them last season.

However, Ruben Amorim is also keen to strengthen at the opposite end of the pitch, and the manager is now eyeing a reunion with Sporting CP centre-back Goncalo Inacio, with the manager selecting the Portuguese defender as his ideal target.

Former United defender Paul Parker has been left concerned by the lack of new arrivals up to this point, saying: “For Man United to just compete against anyone and not let themselves down, they need at least four more signings.

“They can’t carry on where they are at this moment in time because they’ll start next season and it will still be negative in the dressing room and with the fans. It became the Theatre of Nightmares towards the end of last season.”

According to a recent update from Romano on X, however, Man United have made another addition, with a deal for “talented” 15-year-old Southampton defender Harley Emsden-James now agreed and signed, having tracked him closely over the last 12 to 14 months.

Related He's a bigger talent than Mbeumo: Man Utd make contact to sign £55m star

Manchester United could forget about Bryan Mbeumo after the hierarchy made another move for an attacking star.

Posts 8 ByEthan Lamb Jul 10, 2025

The Premier League have now approved the transfer, which is exciting news for United, given that the youngster is viewed as a “major talent”, and they have beaten a number of rival clubs to his signature, including Manchester City and Chelsea.

Man Utd also need to bring in senior centre-back

It is promising news that United have been able to get a deal for Emsden-James over the line, given that he is highly rated by a number of the Premier League’s top clubs, but at 15-years-old, the teenager clearly won’t be in the first team in the near future.

As such, Amorim will need to bring in a senior centre-back this summer, with Lisandro Martínez still sidelined due to an ACL injury, while Harry Maguire has entered the last year of his contract at Old Trafford.

The aforementioned Inacio could be a solid option, having been described as “one of the best” centre-backs in the 2023-24 Europa League by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, given his defensive showings and keen eye for goal, which was on display again last season.

With United set to make a loan with an obligation to buy bid for Inacio, the deal could progress in the near future, and at 23-years-old, he would be able to make an instant impact at Old Trafford.

Glasgow Rangers are interested in signing a free-kick specialist on a free transfer for new boss Russell Martin.

Busy week for Rangers as 49ers sign Rothwell and Fernandez

The Gers and new owners 49ers Enterprises have had a busy week at Ibrox in regards to new signings, with both Joe Rothwell and Emmanuel Fernandez moving to Rangers on permanent transfers.

Rothwell, who worked with Martin at Southampton in their promotion-winning season from the Championship, arrived from Bournemouth, and hours later, Fernandez was announced as a Gers player from Peterborough United.

Motherwell vs Rangers

August 2

Rangers vs Dundee

August 9

St Mirren vs Rangers

August 23

Rangers vs Celtic

August 31

Rangers vs Hearts

September 13

Talking after signing Fernandez, Martin said: “Emmanuel is a young defender with a huge amount of potential, and I am excited to welcome him to the club. He has a strong physical presence, is a commanding defender and I believe in this environment we can help him develop and provide him with the opportunities to take his game to the next level.”

The duo join Lyall Cameron and Max Aarons through the door ahead of the Gers’ Champions League qualifier against Panathinaikos later this month, and more new additions could be made before the end of the month.

More career goals than Tavernier: Rangers eyeing 'legendary' Igamane upgrade

With Hamza Igamane seemingly on his way out of Ibrox, should Rangers sign a “living legend” who has scored 244 senior career goals?

ByBen Gray Jul 4, 2025

Leicester City defender Conor Coady and Luton Town midfielder Thelo Aasgaard both look on course to head to Glasgow, and another player with EFL experience is also on Martin’s radar.

Rangers also interested in signing free agent John Swift

According to a report from SportsBoom, Rangers are keen on signing John Swift, who is currently a free agent after leaving West Bromwich Albion at the end of June.

The Gers aren’t the only side keen, though, with Championship sides Derby County, Norwich City, Portsmouth and Stoke City also looking at a cut-price deal.

A free-kick specialist, Swift came through the ranks at Chelsea but has made the majority of his career appearances for Reading and West Brom. The 30-year-old has never plied his trade outside of England, so a move north to Scotland would be a first for Swift, should a deal go through.

Former Baggies boss Tony Mowbray praised Swift last season, highlighting his free-kick ability and labelling him as a a “wonderful player”.

“So it shouldn’t be a surprise to anybody that John Swift can bend one in the top corner from 25 yards. He is a wonderful player and that is why he has been in the team.”

Previously, former Reading manager Veljko Paunovic also hailed Swift, saying: “Swift is super talented – he showed urgency and wanted to decide the game. It was fantastic execution and vision to play Joao in. Injuries were the main issue for Swift in the past and he has been missed. It’s important to keep him healthy and motivated like he is now.”

Being kicked out of a major tournament isn’t something that happens very often in football. In fact, it’s an incredibly rare event, but it has happened.

From match fixing scandals, to financial foolishness, to plain stupidity, here are 10 times clubs were kicked out of various competitions.

1 Club Leon (2025) Denied place in expanded Club World Cup

FIFA expanded their Club World Cup to include 32 teams from 2025, but Mexican side Club Leon were booted out of the competition after falling foul of the rules regarding multi-club ownership.

They had qualified via winning the CONCACAF Champions Cup in 2023, with rivals Pachuca – who are also owned by Grupo Pachuca – winning the tournament a year later.

With these clubs unable to participate in the same competition, Leon were eventually booted out. FIFA created a play-off match between MLS outfit LAFC and Mexican side Club America to decide which team will take their place.

2 Juventus (2006) Relegated to Serie B

The Calcipoli scandal shook Italian football, but no club was more affected by the consequences than Juventus. Uncovered in May 2006, it was a major sports controversy in Italy’s Serie A and Serie B football leagues. It involved several clubs, executives and football bodies, including Juventus, Fiorentina, Lazio, Milan and Reggina.

The scandal was revealed through telephone tappings, exposing relations between club executives and referee organisations during the 2004/05 and 2005/06 seasons, with accusations of referee selection to favour specific clubs.

Juventus, the league champions, were severely penalised, being stripped of the 2004/05 Serie A title, relegated to Serie B, and downgraded to last place in the 2005/06 season.

While popularly known as a match-fixing scandal, no match-fixing violations were found for Juventus in intercepted calls. The club was absolved of wrongdoing, but sporting executives Luciano Moggi and Antonio Giraudo received lifetime bans.

A subsequent investigation implicated other clubs, though they weren’t put on trial due to the statute of limitations.

Legal battles ensued, with damage claims and appeals, leading to controversy and ongoing debates. Juventus returned to Serie A, eventually dominating with a record nine consecutive league titles.

3 Marseille (1994) Relegated to Ligue 2

After winning the Champions League the season before, Marseille were kicked out of Ligue 1 in 1994 after a bribery scandal that changed French football forever. The French football bribery scandal, known as Affaire VA-OM, unfolded during the 1992/93 French Ligue 1 season in a match between Valenciennes and Olympique de Marseille.

Marseille president Bernard Tapie and general manager Jean-Pierre Bernès sought to influence the game by bribing Valenciennes players, including Jorge Burruchaga, Jacques Glassmann and Christophe Robert.

The aim was to ensure Marseille’s players remained fresh for the upcoming UEFA Champions League final against Milan. Glassmann refused the bribe, exposing the scandal. Despite winning the match and the league title, Marseille faced severe consequences.

The scandal led to Marseille being stripped of the title, but runners-up Paris Saint-Germain declined to be named champions, resulting in no official winner for the 1992/93 season. Tapie, Bernès, Burruchaga, Jean-Jacques Eydelie and Robert were convicted of corruption in subsequent trials.

Tapie and Eydelie served jail terms, while Bernès, Burruchaga, and Robert received suspended sentences. The aftermath included Marseille’s relegation to Division 2 for the 1994/95 season due to financial difficulties. Glassmann, who refused the bribe, was honoured with the 1995 FIFA Fair Play Award.

4 Ismaily (2019) Kicked out of CAF Champions League

In 2019, Egyptian club Ismaily were disqualified from the competition following the disruption of their fixture against Club Africain.

The disqualification stemmed from Ismaily fans hurling stones and water bottles at match officials and players from the visiting Tunisian club, leading referee Neant Alioum to call for the teams to retreat to the changing rooms during stoppage time, with Club Africain leading 2-1.

CAF’s decision to expel Ismaily from the competition parallels a previous disqualification of Algerian side Entente Sportive de Setif in 2016 after a similar episode against Mamelodi Sundowns. As a result of Ismaily’s expulsion, their results in Group C were nullified.

The club was eventually reinstated after CAF overturned the decision, stating there was no evidence of an invasion or targeted aggression towards the visiting team.

5 Fenerbahce & Besiktas (2013) Banned from European football

Turkish football clubs Fenerbahce and Besiktas faced UEFA sanctions following a domestic match-fixing scandal from 2011. UEFA banned Fenerbahce from European football for two seasons and imposed a suspended third-season ban.

Besiktas received a one-season ban from UEFA competitions. Both clubs were implicated in a 2011 Turkish league scandal, leading to convictions for 93 individuals, including Fenerbahce chairman Aziz Yildirim. Yildirim received over six years in prison but was released pending an appeal.

The UEFA disciplinary panel considered evidence over several months and ruled that Fenerbahce would miss the upcoming Champions League and any subsequent European competitions. Besiktas, implicated in the 2011 Turkish Cup final, were excluded from the next Europa League.

The Turkish Football Federation had previously imposed bans on players and officials but took no action against clubs involved in the scandal.

6 Lazio & Milan (1980) Relegated to Serie B

After a match-fixing scandal, Milan and Lazio were relegated to Serie B, while three Serie A and two Serie B clubs faced five-point deductions. The Italian Football Federation banned 20 players, half of whom had represented the Italian national team.

Notably, Paolo Rossi, a key figure in the Azzurri team that won the 1982 World Cup, received a reduced two-year sentence. Milan’s president, Felice Colombo, was initially banned for life but later received a six-year suspension.

The scandal originated in the state-run Totocalcio competition era, leading a struggling merchant, Massimo Cruciani, to approach a restaurant owner, Alvaro Trinca, with a match-fixing scheme. The Totonero black market in football betting facilitated their plan.

Despite facing heavy losses, Cruciani and Trinca filed a complaint, leading to arrests and subsequent sanctions by the Italian Football Federation, casting a dark shadow over Italian football.

7 Real Madrid (2015) Disqualified from Copa del Rey

Real Madrid were disqualified from the Copa del Rey in 2015 for fielding an ineligible player, Denis Cheryshev, during the round-of-32 match against Cadiz on December 2. Cheryshev scored the opening goal in a 3-1 victory, but it was later revealed that he should have been serving a one-match suspension.

Despite Real Madrid’s appeals, the Spanish Football Federation maintained its decision. The competition judge acknowledged that Cheryshev was not personally notified about his ban, a crucial requirement for the suspension to take effect.

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez insisted that the club received no communication from the federation regarding Cheryshev’s suspension and vowed to take the matter to appeals and the arbitration court. Cheryshev had incurred a one-game ban after receiving his third yellow card in the 2014/15 Copa del Rey campaign while on loan at Villarreal.

8 5 Armenian football clubs (2023) Massive Armenian match-fixing scandal

This match-fixing scandal was so audacious, we can’t help but wonder how these clubs thought they would get away with it. The Armenian Football Federation (FFA) has just suspended the country’s second tier and disqualified five teams due to evidence of their involvement in match-fixing.

Around 45 individuals, including club owners, players, and coaches, have received life bans, with an additional 13 individuals banned for varying periods for their roles in match manipulation. The FFA cited “undeniable evidence” from international organisations and law enforcement agencies for its decision.

Club owners with Russian passports, Russian players and coaches, as well as Ukrainian, Latvian and Belarusian footballers, were reportedly among those banned. Teams such as Lokomotiv Yerevan, Aragats, Torpedo Yerevan and Masis were disqualified from the championship following suspicious results, including scorelines like 12-0, 0-12, 1-8, 9-2, 0-7, 0-8, and 8-2.

FC Yerevan, which had withdrawn from the 2019/20 Premier League due to financial and technical problems, were also disqualified for match-fixing.

9 Parma (2015) Relegated to Serie D

Parma used to be a real force in Italian football. Players like Hernan Crespo, Fabio Cannavaro and Gianluigi Buffon were just a few of the greats to wear their beautiful kits. Unfortunately, in 2015, it all came crumbling down for the old giants.

The two-time UEFA Cup winners were relegated to the fourth tier of Italian football due to their inability to secure a new owner. The club declared bankruptcy and had been seeking a buyer to address their financial troubles.

Parma’s relegation followed a series of financial challenges, including a late tax payment that led to their exclusion from the Europa League during the 2014/15 season.

10 Rangers Relegated to Scottish Third Division

In 2012, Rangers as we knew it ceased to exist. They had to start anew from the fourth tier after a financial crisis led to their expulsion from the Scottish Premier League.

The decision by Scottish Football League clubs marked a significant downturn for the Gers, who faced administration before a takeover led by Charles Green.

Rangers had initially wanted to join the second tier, but 25 out of 30 clubs voted for them to begin at the bottom of the footballing hierarchy in Scotland. This move contrasted sharply with Rangers’ historical prominence and average attendance of over 45,000 at their Ibrox stadium.

The club have since made their way back to the top of Scottish football, winning their first title since their relegation under Steven Gerrard in 2020/21.