European football s governing body said Thursday that it had opened an internal inquiry following reported remarks by a UEFA official allegedly suggesting corruption at German giants Bayern Munich.
UEFA President Michel Platini and Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge discussed recent events that have been covered in the news media and agreed on the need to have absolute clarity on the matter, at a meeting on Thursday, UEFA said in a statement.
Bayern Munich started legal action in Germany against UEFA disciplinary chief Peter Limacher on Wednesday, bitterly denying the allegations reported by German weekly Stern and said the comments were totally untrue and slanderous .
UEFA said that its officials and Bayern had held an open and constructive conversation.
AC Milan s Zlatan Ibrahimovic has launched a new attack on Pep Guardiola, telling Monday s Gazzetta dello Sport that, like Tiger Woods, his former coach at Barcelona was not perfect.
The Sweden forward, who spent just one year in Spain, said: Guardiola wants to appear perfect in public. Tiger Woods is the same. But no one is perfect.
He also took aim at what he believed was Guardiola s inexperience.
He s a great manager but with little experience, and still too young to manage a team with 22 stars with different personalities.
Guardiola guided Barcelona to six trophies in 2009 but Ibrahimovic commented: It s not difficult to win at Barcelona. With such a team, who couldn t win?
He had more favourable words for Jose Mourinho, his coach at Inte…
Luis Fernando Suarez has confirmed that he has left his post as Honduras coach following the FIFA World Cup.
Suarez took over in 2011, filling the void of Mexican Juan de Dios Castillo and he subsequently coached the country to two editions of the CONCACAF Gold Cup, the 2012 London Olympic games and this year s World Cup.
The Ecuador native guided Honduras to the semi-finals of the Gold Cup on both occasions, while they also reached the second round of the Olympics, helping to knock out Spain.
After ending the World Cup with no points following defeats to France, Switzerland and Ecuador, Suarez opted to not renew his contract and he leaves his post, suggesting the team needs fresh impetus.
Five minutes ago I decided to leave my post, he revealed to repor…
Ahead of his departure from Liverpool to Barcelona, a sorrowful Luis Suarez revealed he leaves Anfield with a heavy heart .
After much media speculation, it was confirmed on Friday that the Uruguay international is to sign for the Spanish giants on a five-year deal for an undisclosed fee, subject to him completing a medical next week.
Suarez arrived at Liverpool from Ajax in January 2011, with his spell at the club punctuated by a combination of breathtaking displays and controversial incidents.
The 27-year-old netted 82 goals in 133 appearances for Liverpool, but received suspensions for racially abusing Manchester United s Patrice Evra and biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic.
Suarez made headlines for the wrong reasons again at the FIFA World Cup…
Talksport understand that Leeds United have been linked with a move for Tottenham Hotspur outcast Fernando Llorente.
The Championship outfit, who currently sit third in the table and are favourites for promotion are keen to strengthen their attacking line in January as they look to seal a return to the top flight after fifteen years in the football league.
Llorente has struggled to find his best form since signing from Swansea City in the summer of 2017, scoring just six goals in thirty-five games in all competitions and most of those appearances have come as a substitute.
He has played just thirteen minutes in the league this term – coming on briefly in both last month’s win at West Ham United and the defeat to Watford back in September.
Shou…
Saman Ghoddos insists Iran are not allowing themselves to think of lifting the Asian Cup even after their sensational start to the tournament.
Carlos Queiroz s men the highest-ranked of the 24 nations involved in the competition face Vietnam on Saturday on the back of a 5-0 thrashing of Yemen in their opening Group D fixture.
Amiens forward Ghoddos rounded off the scoring in that rout as Iran delivered a performance to underline their credentials in many people s eyes as favourites to add to their three titles.
That trio of crowns arrived in successive tournaments in the 1960s and 70s, but Ghoddos believes it is far too early in this year s event to start dreaming of possible glory for the current generation.
What a night for the Iranians!
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Stephen Kenny has insisted he has not sought assurances over his future as Republic of Ireland manager despite facing mounting criticism.
Kenny’s position has been questioned and potential successors touted in the wake of a hugely disappointing 2-1 Euro 2024 qualifying defeat in Greece on Friday evening which left Ireland’s hopes of making it to the finals in severe jeopardy after just two games.
However, asked if he had been given any assurances by the Football Association of Ireland that he would see out the campaign, the 51-year-old replied: “I haven’t sought any assurance. That’s not something I do.”
Kenny, who complained about “a lack of respect” at his pre-match press conference, was asked how he felt he was doing as Ireland manager.
Lautaro Martinez dismissed speculation over a move to Bayern Munich or Paris Saint-Germain, stating he hopes to become a legend at Inter.
Chelsea, Bayern and PSG are among a host of Europe s elite clubs that have repeatedly been linked to the forward, who will aim for World Cup glory with Argentina in November.
Julian Nagelsmann s side remain on the hunt for a like-for-like replacement for Robert Lewandowski, while Martinez s Argentina team-mate Lionel Messi could draw the Inter star to the French capital.
However, Martinez refuted reports of a move away from San Siro as he outlined his long-term ambitions with Inter.
I m fine, I m happy here, Martinez told Rai Sport. I hope I can become a legend, I have a contract here and I only think about Inter.
…
The Football Association (FA) will investigate the 2009 transfer of defender Gael Givet from Marseille to Blackburn.
The Frenchman told English newspaper The Sun that he was forced to pay money to an unlicensed agent to help complete his 3.5-million-pound move to Ewood Park in June 2009.
FA rules prevent payments to unlicenced third-parties, and Blackburn s alleged breach comes just weeks after newly-promoted Premier League side Queens Park Rangers was fined 875,000 pounds for a similar offence.
A FA spokesman confirmed on Tuesday the FA would look at evidence before deciding whether to investigate the matter further.
We will be looking into the material and the issues that may be raised by the content, the spokesman said.
Givet, 29, has won 13 …
Johan Elmander leads a host of names preparing to leave English Premier League club Bolton Wanderers.
Sweden forward Elmander who hit 12 goals in all competitions for Bolton elected not to sign a new deal at Bolton and joins Jlloyd Samuel, Joey O Brien and Tamir Cohen in leaving the club on free transfers.
Elmander arrived at the Reebok Stadium in 2008 for a club-record deal of 8.2 million pounds, but is now expected to join Turkish club Galatasaray.
Owen Coyle paid tribute to the departing quartet, who have all been at the club for multiple seasons.
I wish all the players who are departing the club all the very best, Coyle said.
I want to thank them for their efforts and professionalism. Ultimately when these decisions come about they re made …