News

Cardiff Hold Talks with Bale Representatives Cardiff, 22 Jun (ONA) --- Cardiff City have held talks with Gareth Bale's representatives as they step up their efforts to sign the out-of-contract Wales captain. Bale, 32, is available on a free transfer having left Real Madrid. His representatives have confirmed to BBC Sport Wales that they are in negotiations with Cardiff chairman Mehmet Dalman. However, the deal is not yet done and Bale's agents are also "still in talks with lots of other clubs". Five-time Champions League winner Bale has been linked with a move to a ...

Inter Milan Agree Season-long Loan Deal for Lukaku Milan, 22 Jun (ONA) --- Romelu Lukaku has agreed a season-long loan deal to return to Inter Milan which has sparked a forward line reshuffle at Chelsea. The Belgian, who signed for a club-record 98 million pounds (USD 120 million) in the summer of 2021, will return to the Italian Serie A for a loan fee 8 million euros (Approx USD 8.5 million), the Spanish MARCA newspaper reported. Thomas Tuchel has been given the chance to reshape the Blues squad with Lukaku heading back to Italy. --- Ends/Khalid ...

Arsenal Complete Fabio Vieira Signing from Porto London, 21 Jun (ONA) --- Arsenal have completed the signing of midfielder Fabio Vieira from Porto in a 40m euro (£34.2m) deal, BBC sports reported. Arsenal have now announced Vieira has signed a long-term contract with them. --- Ends/Khalid ...

Man United Hope to Sign Free Agent Eriksen Manchester, 21 Jun (ONA) --- Manchester United hope to persuade Denmark midfielder Christian Eriksen to join them before the new season. It was thought the 30-year-old would prefer to remain in London after making a successful comeback with Brentford in the second half of last season. The Bees hoped Eriksen would stay on while it was thought Tottenham Hotspur were also keen to re-sign him. However, a deal has not been agreed with either club, giving Man United the chance to make an offer for the free agent. Eriksen had cardiac ...

Track and Field to Leave Multi-sport European Championships Lausanne, Switzerland, 20 Jun (ONA) --- Track and field is leaving the multi-sport European Championships after the 2022 edition in Munich. The European Athletics governing body said it would return to a stand-alone event in 2026 rather than be part of the collective championships, which were first held in 2018 and expanded to nine sports for the next edition in August. Being independent would “help create a special athletics experience for the competitors, athletics fans, TV and other media and every other ...

Morocco Defender Nayef Aguerd Joins West Ham from Rennes London, 20 Jun (ONA) --- Morocco defender Nayef Aguerd today joined West Ham from French club Rennes for a reported fee of 30 million pounds ($36.7 million). The 26-year-old Aguerd will add competition to the center-back positions and, as a left-footed player, might also fill in at left back. West Ham needs a deeper squad because it will play in European competition again this season, this time in the Europa Conference League. Last season, the Hammers were in the Europa League and reached the semifinals. Aguerd was ...

Japan to Host East Zone Playoffs in Asian Champions League Kuala Lumpur, 20 Jun (ONA) --- The Asian Champions League (ACL) playoffs in the eastern zone are set to be staged in Japan in August 2022. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) today said the Round of 16 matches would be played on 18 and 19 August, the quarterfinals on 22 August and the semifinals on 25 August. Saitama will host the Round of 16 matches with Daegu FC against South Korean rival and two-time champion Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, BG Pathum United of Thailand against Hong Kong-based Kitchee SC, Vissel Kobe ...

Liverpool Signs Ramsay as Backup Right BackLiverpool, 19 Jun (ONA) --- Liverpool today signed Scotland under-21 defender Calvin Ramsay from Aberdeen as a backup to right back Trent Alexander-Arnold. The 18-year-old Ramsay, who hasn’t played for Scotland’s senior team, has joined for a reported fee of 4.2 million pounds ($5.15 million). He only made his senior debut for Aberdeen in March last year and played 39 games for the team in Scotland’s top division, making nine assists and scoring one goal. Ramsay is Liverpool’s third signing of the offseason following the ...

Barcelona, 16 Jun (ONA) --- Dani Alves is leaving Barcelona for a second time, five months after the veteran Brazilian right back returned to the Spanish club he helped lead to 23 titles. The 39-year-old Alves played for Barcelona from 2008-16, winning the Champions League three times and six Spanish leagues among other trophies. He started a second stint with Barcelona in January 2022 as a free agent on a contract that expired this summer. Alves scored one goal in 17 appearances last season, which Barcelona ended without a title. He finished his Barcelona career with 408 ...

Madrid, 9 Jun (ONA) --- Italian coach Gennaro Gattuso today agreed to take charge of Spanish club Valencia for the next two seasons. The 44-year-old Gattuso replaced José Bordalás after he was fired last week despite having led Valencia to the Copa del Rey final in his single season in charge. Gattuso is a former defensive midfielder who helped Italy win the 2006 World Cup and AC Milan win two Champions League titles. He has since had a coaching career in Italy, where he managed Milan and Napoli. While coaching Napoli, the club won the 2020 Italian Cup. Gattuso arrives at ...

Lyon, France, 9 Jun (ONA) --- France striker Alexandre Lacazette is going back to Lyon. The 31-year-old forward, who was out of contract with Arsenal at the end of June, today returned to the seven-time French champion on a three-year deal. Lacazette left Lyon in 2017 for a then club-record 60 million euros ($64 million) after joining the French league side at age 12. He played eight professional seasons with Lyon. With Arsenal, Lacazette scored 71 goals in 206 appearances for the north London club. He made an instant impact in the English Premier League (EPL), scoring 94 ...

Cardiff, 9 Jun (ONA) --- The Netherlands earned a dramatic late victory over Wales just moments after they thought they had squandered the win in injury time. The Cardiff City Stadium was in jubilant mood after Wales sealed World Cup qualification just days earlier with a victory over Ukraine, although fans will have left with a slightly bitter taste in their mouths after having levelled against the Dutch late on. After a tense first half, the opener arrived five minutes after the restart through Teun Koopmeiners, who hit a powerful shot into the bottom ...

Brussels, 9 Jun (ONA) --- Poland were no match for Belgium in Nations League action last night, as the Red Devils came back from an early Robert Lewandowski strike to win 6-1. Roberto Martinez's men suffered a heavy defeat to the Netherlands last time out in their opening Group A4 match, but they emphatically put that disappointment behind them against Poland. Although Belgium showed more defensive weakness by letting Lewandowski open the scoring in the 28th minute, they turned things around in impressive style, the Spanish MARCA newspaper reported. Axel Witsel levelled the ...

Madrid, 8 Jun (ONA) --- Real Madrid have confirmed that Luka Modric has renewed his contract at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu. The club and player agreed on an extension of the player's contract until 30 June 2023, the Spanish MARCA newspaper reported. In confirming Modric's new deal, Real Madrid are continuing to build their squad for the 2022/23 season, in which they'll seek to defend their status as Spanish and European champions. After the official confirmation of the capture of Antonio Rudier and the completion of Aurelien Tchoumeni's signing, Real Madrid have taken ...

Munich, 8 Jun (ONA) --- Germany and England remain winless in Nations League action after Harry Kane's late penalty salvaged a 1-1 draw for the away side in Munich. The Germans entered the match off the backs of a draw away to Italy, while Gareth Southgate's side were keen to bounce back after a shock defeat to Hungary in Budapest. Although the home side showed more initiative in the opening 45 minutes, the chances were few and far between as the two teams headed to half-time still locked at 0-0. That all changed five minutes after the restart when Jonas Hofmann was left alone ...

Rome, 8 Jun (ONA) --- Italy have moved top of the Nations League A Group 3 standings after controlling proceedings en route to a 2-1 victory over Hungary in Cesena last night. Roberto Mancini's men put in another impressive performance following their draw with Germany over the weekend, as the Azzurri continue to try and put their World Cup qualifying disaster behind them. The deadlock was broken, thanks to a Nicolo Barella scorcher from distance, as his right-footed strike found the top corner and left Denas Dibusz with no chance. After Alessandro Bastoni almost doubled the ...

Madrid, 8 Jun (ONA) --- Following the official confirmation of the signing of Antonio Rudiger and the completion of the signing of Aurelien Tchoumeni, Real Madrid continue to shape their future ahead of the new season. Now, they are set to officially present Luka Modric after his one-year extension as well as say farewell to long-serving full-back Marcelo. The renewal of Luka Modric, announced by the Spanish MARCA newspaper at the end of the match against Liverpool that gave Real Madrid their 14th Champions League title, will be presented later today at an official ceremony at ...

Muscat, 6 Jun (ONA) --- Oman Sail will host the 2022 RS Venture Connect World Championships in November 2022, the first time an exclusively para sailing championship has been held in Oman. Taking place from Sunday, 20 November until Sunday 27 November at the Barceló Mussanah Resort, up to 36 teams from an estimated 15 nations will compete in the RS Venture boat, designed specifically for people with disabilities, including members of Oman Sail’s SailFree team. Dr Khamis Al Jabri, Oman Sail CEO, said, “We are honoured to be chosen as hosts of the RS Venture Connect World ...

Washington, 6 Jun (ONA) --- USMNT showed a solid defense and cut Uruguay's five-game winning streak in a row, the score in Kansas City was 0-0. The South Americans had just beaten Mexico 3-0, a direct rival of Team USA, so an open game with goals was expected, but the team of the stars and stripes knew how to play their game and remain undefeated in their territory. The United States (US) has not known what it's like to lose at home since 2019. The US coach, Gregg Berhalter, started players like: Yedlin, Zimmerman, McKennie, Weah and Pulisic; on the other hand, Diego Alonso only ...

Lisbon, 6 Jun (ONA) --- Cristiano Ronaldo netted twice in Portugal's 4-0 hammering of Switzerland last night, UEFA Nations League A match. The Manchester United forward started on the bench in the 1-1 draw with Spain in midweek, but was in the line-up against the Swiss and made his presence felt. In the 15th minute, William Carvalho put the hosts ahead thanks to a Ronaldo assist, entering the net via a deflection. Then, Ronaldo got his name on the scoresheet on 35 minutes, unleashing a powerful strike into the corner. Just before half-time, Ronaldo helped himself to ...

Madrid, 6 Jun (ONA) --- The Nations League has shown that there is little to choose from between the top teams in Europe, with Spain's trip to Prague adding to that statement. Luis Enrique stated before the match that he expected a stiff challenge from Czech Republic, who's last defeat in an official match in Prague dates back to 2017 against Germany. His words proved prophetic, as Spain found themselves behind inside four minutes. The early deficit wasn't all that shocking given some of the other surprise results we've seen in the Nations League thus far. England fell to ...

Madrid, 6 Jun (ONA) --- There was no stopping Lionel Messi at the El Sadar, as the forward scored all five of Argentina's goals in their 5-0 win over Estonia. The friendly will be remembered given the sensational performance by the PSG forward, who made history with the Albiceleste. It's the second time he's scored a handful in a match. The first came on 7 March 2012 in Barcelona's 7-1 victory over Bayern Leverkusen in the second leg of their Champions League round of 16 clash, the Spanish MARCA newspaper reported. Prior to yesterday, he had never scored more than three goals ...

Doha, 6 Jun (ONA) --- For Australia, it’s a last-ditch double-shot for a place at a fifth straight World Cup. For the United Arab Emirates (UAE), it’s a chance to get one match closer to a first World Cup appearance since its debut in 1990. There’ll be no second chances when the Socceroos and UAE meet tomorrow (Tuesday) in a playoff in Qatar for the right to take on Peru six days later in another playoff with a place alongside France, Denmark and Tunisia in Group D at the World Cup at stake. Both teams finished third in their groups in Asian qualifying, leaving them vying ...

Kuwait, 24 May (ONA) --- The Executive Office of heads of GCC Olympic Committees approved the Sultanate of Oman's hosting the GCC beach sports tournament in 2025. Meanwhile, the UAE will host the 1st edition of the GCC youth sports tournament in 2023 and Saudi Arabia will host the GCC indoor martial arts tournament in 2024. The 4th GCC sports tournament will be held in Qatar in 2026. This came during a meeting held in Kuwait on the sidelines of 3rd GCC sports tournament. --- Ends/Anas/AH ...

Libreville, Gabon, 19 May (ONA) --- Gabon captain and Barcelona striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has retired from international football, a fortnight before the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign begins. The 32-year-old made a total of 68 appearances for the Panthers and scored 29 goals, making him the nation's all-time leading scorer. The Gabon Football Federation (Fegafoot) said it had received a letter from Aubameyang announcing his decision. Aubameyang was born in France and appeared for the French under-21 side but switched to play for Gabon to follow in ...

London, 19 May (ONA) --- Female referees will officiate matches at this year's men's World Cup 2022 in Qatar for the first time in the tournament's history. France's Stephanie Frappart, Rwanda's Salima Mukansanga and Japan's Yoshimi Yamashita have been selected to take charge of games in Qatar. They will be supported by three female assistant referees. English Premier League (EPL) referees Michael Oliver and Anthony Taylor have also been chosen for the tournament, which begins on Monday, 21 November 2022. Taylor refereed the Euro 2020 match between Denmark and Finland, ...

Madrid, 19 May (ONA) —- Three teams are fighting to avoid relegation on the final day of the Spanish LaLiga Santander, while Real Madrid gets its last chance to fine-tune before facing Liverpool for the European Cup.Madrid clinched its 35th Liga title three weeks ago. Since then in three more or less meaningless games, coach Carlo Ancelotti has rotated his squad to keep his players fresh while reducing the risk of injury.Madrid hosts Real Betis tomorrow (Friday) to close the season at the Santiago Bernabéu, which has witnessed three spectacular comebacks in the Champions League knockout ...

Liverpool, 18 May (ONA) --- Liverpool have ensured that the 2021/22 English Premier League (EPL) title race will go down to the final day of the season after beating Southampton 2-1 last night. The victory at St Mary's, which was Liverpool's game in hand over league leaders Manchester City, puts the Reds just one point behind the Citizens ahead of the last round of games next Sunday. Jurgen Klopp's men knew they had to win to stay in it and the game almost had the feeling of a semi-final as they sought to give themselves a chance and a shot at the title, although he did take a ...

London, 17 May (ONA) --- Newcastle defeated Arsenal 2-0 last night at St. James' Park, leaving the Gunners' Champions League hopes in serious jeopardy with just one English Premier League (EPL) game remaining. Arsenal went into the encounter knowing that only a win would realistically serve their objective, being two points behind rivals Spurs who occupied the fourth and final Champions League spot. Newcastle, meanwhile, had little to play for having long ensured their Premier League survival but despite the contrasting stakes for each side, it was the hosts who looked by far the ...

Liverpool, 17 May (ONA) --- Both Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk both went off injured during Liverpool's FA Cup final triumph over Chelsea at Wembley Stadium last Saturday. With two weeks to go for the Champions League final against Real Madrid, Liverpool fans were worried that two of their team's most important players may miss out. However, Jurgen Klopp was optimistic after the penalty shootout victory against Chelsea that both Salah and Van Dijk will have recovered in time to feature in the Champions League final in Paris on 28 May 2022. The German coach made clear that ...