Football

BORIS JOHNSON'S offer to stage the whole of Euro 2020 has been welcomed by European football chiefs. Wembley is already due to stage SEVEN games at the tournament, including all three of England’s opening group matches, both semi-finals and the July 11 final. But the PM’s invitation, exclusively revealed by The Sun , has opened the way for the ultimate summer of football across the country. One source told The Sun: “It is great for us that England is so keen to play its part this summer.” European football’s governing body Uefa plans to confirm the schedule for this summer’s delayed tournament by April 7. That is the date Euro bosses have ordered the current 12 planned host cities to confirm their willingness to host games. But Uefa is demanding that ALL hosts commit to staging games with fans inside grounds. The Government announced last week that all Covid restrictions will be ended from June 21, opening the way for Wembley to allow a 90,000 full house … [Read more...] about Boris Johnson’s offer to host all of Euro 2020 welcomed by European football chiefs with 10 English stadiums on standby

It was almost a month ago that the president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Ahmad Ahmad , took to social media to congratulate Morocco for its victory over Mali at the final of the African Nations Championsh i p . The man from Madagascar will be hoping that on March 12, he will be on the receiving end of congratulations not just from Morocco, but from national federations all over the continent on winning a second term as CAF president. As things stand, though, the chances of that happening look slim. FIFA mission 'successfully completed' Whoever does become the president of CAF will have a relatively free hand to plot a new course for the federatio n — which hasn't always been the case. For six months of Ahmad's first term , FIFA General Secretary Fatma Samoura and her team were tasked with overseeing CAF in a mission aimed at improving the governance of the confederation. In February 2020, FIFA declared … [Read more...] about CAF election: African football is at a crossroads

JUVENTUS have completed the permanent signing of midfielder Weston McKennie for an initial £16million. The 22-year-old American has spent the season on loan at the Old Lady from Schalke. He has emerged as an important player under Andrea Pirlo making 33 appearances across all competitions. Juve included a clause as part of the loan that would automatically make his switch permanent if he met performance incentives. The fee will also be payable over three years and could rise to £20.5m. McKennie came through the youth system at FC Dallas but opted to join Bundesliga side Schalke in 2017. He played three full seasons for the club, making 91 appearances before switching to Turin at the beginning of this season. McKennie went viral over the weekend after he was caught red-handed oggling at stunning sports reporter Diletta Leotta. Most read in Football Gossip SKINTER MILAN Inter 'MISS Lukaku payment and must pay Man Utd full £43m … [Read more...] about Juventus sign Weston McKennie in permanent £16m transfer from Schalke after US midfielder impress during loan spell

GIANLUIGI BUFFON could extend his career yet again this summer - but will finally hang up his gloves by 2023. The Italian goalkeeper, who boasts a World Cup, ten Serie A titles and a host of other trophies and records from a long playing career, turned 43 in January. Yet he continues to be a part of a Juventus side challenging on multiple fronts, coached by old team-mate Andrea Pirlo. In ten appearances this season, the veteran has kept six clean sheets including a 3-0 romp past Barcelona at the Camp Nou in the Champions League group stage. Buffon's contract expires at the end of the campaign but the prospect of a new deal is on the horizon. The keeper told the Guardian : "I’ve learned nothing is certain in life." He added: "Look, in my head, there truly is a final stop sign. "A maximum bar, which is June 2023, that is the maximum, really, really the maximum. BET OF THE DAY: BEST PRICES AND ODDS BOOSTS ON THE MARKET TODAY You never know, … [Read more...] about Gianluigi Buffon reveals he might extend playing career AGAIN until aged 45 but will retire by end of 2023 season

TOTTENHAM and Manchester United have got the green light from Uefa to play next week’s Europa League last-32 second legs on home soil. But Tottenham ’s Austrian opponent Wolfsberger will have to make an indirect flight both ways to avoid quarantining when they return home. Jose Mourinho ’s men will play the first leg in Budapest on Thursday after quarantine-free travel into Austria from the UK was banned. Similar restrictions mean United ’s first leg against Real Sociedad will be played in Turin rather than in the Basque country. But unlike Mikel Arteta's Arsenal side, Spurs and United will be able to host next week’s matches. The Gunners will play both legs against Portuguese giants Benfica on neutral soil - in Rome and then Piraeus. Spurs' opponents Wolfsberger, though, will have to travel to London via Slovenia, to get round Austrian restrictions. And while there are quarantine rules for travel between the UK and Spain, because Sociedad will have spent … [Read more...] about Man Utd and Tottenham WILL have home advantage for Europa League ties as Uefa give them green light to host second-legs