Новости за 19.03.2018

Cristiano Ronaldo has hit out at the spreading of "fake news" in an apparent reference to the latest claims surrounding his tax fraud case. The 33-year-old was accused last year of evading €14.7million in taxes relating to his image rights between 2011 and 2014. According to reports in Spain on Monday, Ronaldo's legal team made a settlement offer of €3.8m, plus admission of wrongdoing, which was rejected by the country's tax authorities. The Portugal international appeared in court last year to respond to the allegations... Читать дальше...

Italy interim boss Luigi Di Biagio believes uncapped duo Patrick Cutrone and Federico Chiesa represent a bright future for the national team. The two young attackers were included in the 26-man squad for this month's friendlies against Argentina and England, at the expense of more experienced players such as Mario Balotelli and Simone Zaza. With Italy desperate to start rebuilding their image after their failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, Di Biagio hopes Cutrone and Chiesa can show their... Читать дальше...

Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman says Robin van Persie could still earn a recall to the squad if he can sustain his fitness. The 34-year-old, who has scored a record 50 goals in 102 appearances for his country, has not played for Oranje since the 4-0 defeat to France in World Cup qualifying last August. But Koeman has not ruled out bringing the striker back into the international fold, with Van Persie having scored four times for Feyenoord since his return to the club in January.  "He has not said he will stop... Читать дальше...

Barcelona star Lionel Messi says he no longer vomits during matches because of a simple improvement to his diet. The 30-year-old caused some alarm when he was sick during an Argentina friendly against Romania in Bucharest in 2014, after which the forward confessed it "happened all the time". Messi had been sick the year before in a World Cup qualifier against Bolivia, in the high altitude of La Paz, and his old international boss Alejandro Sabella later blamed the problem on nerves. Giuliano Poser... Читать дальше...

David James once said that relegation was “the single most traumatic experience you can have in a football career” (and that’s coming from a bloke who’s been managed by Alan Pardew).We jest, of course. Some teams get used to the idea of going down – hopeless Derby were famously consigned to the drop in 2008 just 48 hours short of April Fool’s Day, while Joleon Lescott described confirmation of Aston Villa’s 2016 relegation as a “weight off the shoulders”. Naturally, that went down gloriously.Others... Читать дальше...

Paul Pogba revealed a rather startling new hairstyle inspired by France ahead of international friendlies with Colombia and Russia. The Manchester United star has had a difficult time of late at club level, falling out of favour with Jose Mourinho and attracting criticism from pundits. Some experts, such as Graeme Souness and Roy Keane, have even made comments about his outlandish hairstyles in recent times, with the latter recently saying: "He seems to have a big personality whether it be social media... Читать дальше...

Defender Mathieu Debuchy is frustrated that his impressive form for Saint-Etienne has not resulted in a recall to the France squad. The former Arsenal right-back, who has been back to his best since returning to his homeland, won the Ligue 1 Player of the Month award in February, beating out Paris Saint-Germain superstar Neymar and Montpellier goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte for the award. Speaking after his side's 2-0 victory over Guingamp, Debuchy was disheartened that national team coach Didier... Читать дальше...

Joey Barton believes England cannot win the World Cup despite qualifying for Russia 2018 unbeaten, although progressing through the group stage is the "minimum requirement". England eased through their qualifying section with eight wins and two draws to finish eight points clear of nearest rivals Slovakia. Gareth Southgate's men will open their World Cup campaign against Tunisia on June 18 before facing Panama and Belgium in Group G. But Barton, who won a single cap for England in 2007, does not... Читать дальше...

Marco Verratti claims Lionel Messi is given favourable treatment by referees when it comes to dissent.  Paris Saint-Germain playmaker Verratti was sent off in the Champions League last-16 second-leg tie against Real Madrid after receiving a second yellow card for that very offence.  The Italy international conceded his reaction was wrong, but feels Barcelona superstar Messi would not have been punished for similar behaviour.  "I got it wrong against Real, but it was a red card out of frustration and sometimes referees could be more tolerant... Читать дальше...

It's easy to tune out during half-time entertainment. Getting balls inskips, beat-the-keeper competitions, relay races –most fans just watch on with a disgruntledglaze.Over the weekend, it got a little bit different at Sunderland. True, it's a normal crossbar challenge and the supporters give a cursory "waaaaay" when the fan actually clunks his shot off the bar, but then they realise that... well, he's wearing a Newcastle shirt and celebrating with Alan Shearer's trademark raised arm.Oh, steward. Читать дальше...

Milan's game against Chievo in Serie A was great entertainment on Sunday.In a back-and-forward game which swung one way and then the other, the Rossoneriwent ahead, only to fall 2-1 behind and then recover to take all three points with a dramatic 3-2 win.Young forward Patrick Cutrone scored the equaliser in the second half, prodding home after the visiting goalkeeper had spilled a shot. He had to hold on for the VAR to make their call, but when they finally did...Tremendous.That goal actually made CutroneMilan's top scorer in Serie A (7)... Читать дальше...

Eden Hazard (Chelsea)Forget the contract situation, even if it is relevant: what is Hazard’s motivation to stay now?Chelsea are no longer theforce they were, either at home or abroad, technically or financially. Conversely,Hazard is in his prime at 27, meaning he faces the threat of spending his best years at a club that's unlikely to challenge for the Champions League and appear incapable of rewarding him with the kind of wage which players of his standing can now expect to command.Added to this... Читать дальше...

Not for the first time under Jose Mourinho, Luke Shaw's prospects at Manchester United appear bleak. England left-back Shaw was hauled off at half-time during Saturday's 2-0 FA Cup quarter-final win over Brighton and Hove Albion and found himself on the wrong end of a stinging post-match rebuke from Mourinho. Back at the media microphones he performed so prolifically in front of last week, the Portuguese said: "Luke – I cannot say much more. It is a relation with personality, it is a relation to trust, it is a relation to class. Читать дальше...

Marseille and Lyon have been charged by UEFA following crowd disturbances in their respective Europa League matches against Athletic Bilbao and CSKA Moscow. Disturbances marred Marseille's 2-1 win at San Mames on Thursday. Before the match, a stadium security guard suffered a neck wound caused by a sharp object, though his injuries were not serious. Once inside the stadium, Marseille supporters lit flares, some of which were dropped from their second-tier location onto the Athletic fans beneath... Читать дальше...

Italy will be without Giorgio Chiellini for internationals against Argentina and England after the Juventus defender withdrew from the squad with a thigh injury. Chiellini was substituted late in Juve's 0-0 draw at SPAL on Saturday, with West Ham centre-back Angelo Ogbonna called up as cover for the 33-year-old. A Juventus statement indicated Chiellini's injury is not though to be serious, with the Serie A leaders facing Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals on April 3. "Having undergone medical tests... Читать дальше...

Gianluigi Buffon says Davide Astori's death was one of the reasons he wanted to return to international duty with Italy. Buffon stepped away from Azzurri action after Italy's surprise failure to reach the World Cup, his side losing a play-off against Sweden in November that left the Juventus goalkeeper in tears. But the 40-year-old is back in the squad named by interim Italy coach Luigi Di Biagio for upcoming friendlies against Argentina and England. Buffon, who holds the Italian national record of 175 caps... Читать дальше...

Remember Iago Aspas - he of worst-corner-in-history fame?Actually being fair, though, the 30-year-oldhas been excellent for Celta Vigo since signing in 2015 and, had he actually scored with the below effort, it would have been his 17th goal of the season.But it wasn't.It was a costly miss, too. Celta are currently in the hunt for one of La Liga's Europa League places and victory in this game against Malaga would have taken them to within four points of sixth-placed Sevilla (who lost to Leganes).Alas... Читать дальше...

Marco Verratti refuted suggestions agent Mino Raiola touted his services to Barcelona and is adamant he will be staying at Paris Saint-Germain next season. Italy international Verratti has been linked with Barcelona on and off for several years, having established himself as one of Europe's most talented central midfielders. Following PSG's Champions League elimination, reports in France claimed Verratti had instructed Raiola to secure him a move, with Barca said to be their preferred destination. Читать дальше...

Famously, Cristiano Ronaldo only scored one treble during his time in England. He’s upped his hat-trick (and indeed four- and five-goal haul) game since, though, and now bagged a barely believable 44 of them for Real Madrid –plus five on the international stage.That makes a grand total of 50 hat-tricks coming against 33 different sides (there being several Spanish sides who’ve felt the force of Ronaldo’s finishing several times). Indeed, one club has been on the receiving end of five Ronaldo hat-tricks. Читать дальше...

Bastian Schweinsteiger and Ana Ivanovic have announced the birth of their son. World Cup winner Schweinsteiger and former world number one and French Open champion Ivanovic married in July 2016, with the Serbian confirming her pregnancy in November. And the couple shared news of their son's arrival on Monday in posts on Twitter. "Welcome to the world our little boy! We are so happy," wrote Schweinsteiger, who now plays for Chicago Fire. Ivanovic, who retired in 2016, posted: "Welcome to the world our little boy. Читать дальше...

With the 2017/18 Premier League drawing to a conclusion, the Long Table is changing fast – and there's still plenty to play for despite Manchester City's dominance at the top (just look at that gap, for crying out loud).Pep's mob may soon be about to wrap up the title, but there's still plenty up for grabs: namely who'll secure Champions and Europa League football... and those going down to the Championship. OK,mostlyup for grabs: West Brom, after their seventh consecutive Premier League defeat on Saturday... Читать дальше...

Real Madrid's 6-3 win over Girona on Sunday was a thriller for obvious reasons, but it was also noteworthy for Cristiano Ronaldo scoring the 50th hat-trick of his career. Ronaldo ended the day with a four-goal haul, as Girona were left ruing their luck coming up against a player in such remarkable form. The Portugal star has now scored 19 times in his last 10 matches for Madrid across all competitions and took his LaLiga tally to 22 for the season, a fact made even more remarkable by the fact he had just four in the top flight at Christmas. Читать дальше...

Memphis Depay is adamant the only thing stopping him from being the "best in the world" is consistency and accepts he will not be able to achieve his goal at Lyon. Depay's natural talent has rarely been doubted ever since his breakthrough season with PSV in 2013-14 and subsequent Netherlands showings at the World Cup. But he failed to live up to expectations when he moved to Manchester United in 2015, only showing flashes of his ability during a year and a half at Old Trafford. He ultimately moved... Читать дальше...

Ilkay Gundogan is loving life under Pep Guardiola and feels he is on the same footballing wavelength as the Manchester City manager. Germany midfielder Gundogan was the first signing sanctioned by Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium, agreeing a four-year deal to seal a £20million move from Borussia Dortmund in June 2016, a month before the Catalan tactician took up the reins in Manchester. The 27-year-old was still rehabilitating from a dislocated kneecap at that stage and a cruciate knee ligament... Читать дальше...

As much as FFT loves the knuckleball technique, there's something timeless about a more traditional free-kick - the swirling, bending type that curves away from the goalkeeper at the last minute and nestles in the top corner.On Sunday night, Gremio's Jael provided theperfect example in his team's 3-0 win over hated rivals Internacional in the first leg of their state championship quarter-final.It was the 29-year-old's third goal in five games of the tournament which precedes 2018's Serie A league season... Читать дальше...