Juventus fans on Wednesday, August 9, stormed the pitch during a training match against Juventus Next Gen and chanted 'we don't want Lukaku' in protest against the club signing the Belgian striker.
The Italian fans do not want the club to do a part-exchange deal that will see striker Dusan Vlahovic move to Chelsea while Lukaku move the other way.
Juventus' fans consistently applauded Vlahovic during the game, which the senior team won 8-0.
It comes after the Curva Sud ultra group unfurled a banner telling Lukaku to stay away, which read: 'Lukaku stay in Milan, we already have a second goalkeeper'.
The mocking message refers to the Champions League final, when Lukaku accidentally blocked Roberto Dimarco's goalbound effort in their 1-0 defeat to Inter Milan.
Fans began the anti-Lukaku chants within the first minute of the game, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Chelsea rejected a £26million bid from Inter for the wantaway 30-year-old earlier this summer and Todd Boehly wants in the region of £40m.
He was on loan at the Milanese giants last year but the Blues are adamant he will not go out on loan again, even if they don't want him themselves.
Lukaku is understood to be open to Juventus, forcing Inter to pull out of trying to sign him after hearing that talks were being held between Chelsea and the Old Lady.
He was reportedly unhappy that the Nerazzuri left him out of the starting line-up for the Champions League final and so snubbed them this summer after scoring 14 goals in 37 games for them.
Chelsea were willing to table a £38.5m bid plus Lukaku for Juventus' Vlahovic.
Brazilian superstar, Neymar has reportedly been told that he can leave Paris Saint-Germain this summer.
The former Barcelona forward is one of five players who were informed that they are not needed, during meetings with manager Luis Enrique and sporting director Luis Campos.
It comes following reports earlier this week that the 31-year-old had told the club's management of his own desire to leave the club.
French publication RMC Sport now claims that Neymar, Marco Verratti, Hugo Ekitike, Juan Bernat, and Renato Sanches were told they are 'not part of PSG's project and should find a solution elsewhere'.
Neymar and Verratti have been absent from training for the last two days along with Kylian Mbappe. They were also not invited to the club's team photo day.
Bernat, Ekitike, Sanches were also not part of the team photo day though a second round of official photos is planned for the end of the transfer window, should any of those players end up staying at the club.
The Brazil international had grown increasingly unhappy at the French giants, with reports suggesting he was determined to seal a return to Barcelona this summer.
Back in May, angry PSG fans gathered outside his Paris home to demand that he leave, prompting the club to release a statement condemning the actions of their supporters.
The incident is said to have influenced Neymar's decision to leave the club, with the forward reportedly feeling that he is 'exposed' in Paris in a way that he never had been during his time at Barcelona.
In a surprising turn of events, FC Barcelona’s winger Ousmane Dembélé is poised to make a move to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), as confirmed by Barcelona’s director Mateu Alemany. The deal, which has been in the works behind the scenes, is now in its final stages and is expected to be officially announced later this week. This announcement comes as a significant development in the world of football, with fans and experts alike eager to witness the effects of this transfer.
The news broke via well-known transfer market insider Fabrizio Romano, who reported Alemany’s statement regarding Dembélé’s impending move to the French capital. According to Romano, Alemany stated, “Ousmane Dembélé is on his way to Paris. The deal is done, we just have to sign all documents.” This has set the football community abuzz with speculations about the terms of the transfer and the impact it will have on both clubs.
Dembélé, known for his pace, skill, and versatility on the field, joined FC Barcelona in 2017 from Borussia Dortmund. However, his time with the Catalan club has been marred by injuries, which limited his playing time and potential contributions. Despite flashes of brilliance, his inconsistent performances and fitness concerns seemed to have contributed to this decision.
On the other hand, Paris Saint-Germain, currently one of the football powerhouses in Europe, is making significant moves in the transfer market to strengthen its squad. Dembélé’s potential addition could provide PSG with added attacking depth and a different tactical dimension. With stars like Lionel Messi and Neymar already in their ranks, Dembélé’s arrival could further bolster the Parisian club’s offensive prowess.
While the financial details of the transfer remain undisclosed, it is expected that both clubs have negotiated terms that benefit their respective interests. The move will undoubtedly have ripple effects across the football landscape, impacting player dynamics, team strategies, and league competitions.
The impending official announcement of Ousmane Dembélé’s transfer from FC Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain marks a significant turning point for both the player and the clubs involved. Football enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting more details about the deal, which could reshape the balance of power in the European football scene for the upcoming season.
As someone who doesn’t watch Love Island, it’s been a pretty quiet summer for my TV. Since the Women’s World Cup started in July, my TV has been on when I should be asleep, but it’s been worth it as I’ve been watching and following, supporting the Super Falcons, whilst having a soft spot for Colombia and USA (who I got in the sweepstake, so fingers crossed). For the first time in memory, it feels like the women’s game is breaking out of its bubble, and fans, like myself who aren’t completely familiar with the women’s game, are able to enjoy it because of the investment and visibility it’s been granted. Whether it’s on the pitch or off it, there’s so much happening that’s so exciting to see, and I’ve never been more invested.
Here are some of the moments from this World Cup, that shows how the game is growing (WITHOUT the ‘help’ of the men’s game, which it certainly doesn’t need) and the things that I’ve been excited to see.
If you haven’t already seen the incredible collection, where have you been?
British-Jamaican menswear designer Martine Rose recently released an extensive collection, kitting out the USWNT and the Lionesses in her iconic style that blends her love for fashion and sport. In a move facilitated by Nike, sponsor of both national teams, the gender-free suits are complemented by glasses and also a range of colourways of her take on the Nike Shox MR4.
Both teams started off their campaigns with wins and have progressed through to the knockouts. They certainly both looked like winners as they entered the stadium, thanks to Rose, who’s a frequent Nike collaborator.
Prada as official sponsor for the China Women’s Team
It’s great to see one of the largest fashion houses invest into the women’s game, having the Chinese ladies match England off the pitch (although they weren’t able to match them on it). There’s always a ‘chicken-and-egg’ argument surrounding the women’s game, brands hide behind the ‘lack’ of engagement to justify their lack of presence, whilst some argue that lack of engagement is a result of lack of brand presence.
Regardless of that debate, brands entering the space feels like a good thing, as they realise the sport is worth being a part of, and it certainly is, creating a more inclusive environment for football fans.
Linda Caicedo
The story of Linda Caicedo so far could serve as a movie itself…she’s only 18. After beating cancer at age 15, she’s played in three World Cups in the past 12 months - the u-17 and u-20 editions - and is setting this World Cup alight, shining bright in a strong Colombia team.
Whether or not this Colombia team goes far in the tournament, Linda Caicedo certainly will. After recently signing for Real Madrid, and seemingly able to overcome any adversity that throws itself her way, the sky really is the limit for the young forward and I’m excited to see how her career progresses over the next five, 10, fifteen years.
When life gives you lemons…
There are multiple stories of players and nations overcoming adversity this tournament. Take England goalkeeper Mary Earps, who’s been fighting to have the production of a replica of her jersey produced, only conceding one goal in the group stages, or the Reggae Girlz (Jamaica), who had to crowd fund to cover costs of their attendance to the tournament, beating Brazil to go through to the knockout stage. Additionally, the Super Falcons (Nigeria), have been fighting the same struggles as the Reggae Girlz, prior to their defeat Nigeria had drawn attention as they managed to qualify out of their group despite being the lowest ranked team in their group.
Close your eyes Germany fans, as their draw with South Korea, and loss to Colombia meant they were dumped out of the tournament, failing to make the knockout rounds although they were expected to do so comfortably, especially after beating Morrocco 6-0.
In the past few years, the women’s game has grown exponentially, and there’s nothing that suggests that growth will slow down. With the WSL due to start in October, your dose of women’s football will be back sooner rather than later, and it’s about time you tuned in. Better yet, have you ever considered going to watch your local club? It’s certainly an occasion worth attending.
England's ability to find a way to win during the Women's World Cup has only added to the squad's belief, Lucy Bronze has said.
The Lionesses edged past Nigeria on penalties in the last 16 and have coped with the loss of key players during matches.
And Bronze believes that Sarina Wiegman's players have built confidence thanks to the tests they've overcome.
"We're the ones who are still in the competition," Bronze said.
"There are many top teams who are going home because they haven't been able to get that win or been able to see the games out - and we have.
"We've shown that side of our team and that we know what it takes to win. We have our mentality.
"The belief is huge."
England, who face Colombia in the quarter-finals on Saturday at 11:30 BST, are favourites to win the Women's World Cup for the first time after back-to-back champions the USA, Euro 2022 finalists Germany, Olympic gold medallists Canada and South American champions Brazil were all knocked out.
But it has not been an entirely smooth passage for the European champions - midfielder Keira Walsh suffered an injury in the win over Denmark, before forward Lauren James was sent off in the victory against Nigeria.
The red card left Wiegman's side a player short for more than half an hour but they managed to hang on at 0-0 through extra time to take the game to penalties.
"We're quite a confident team anyway," defender Bronze said.
"We had belief in extra time and during the penalties. We know our strengths, we know what we're capable of and we showed that to the world.
"We can give more. We're a fantastic team with highly talented players but the important thing is we got through to the next round.
"There's no point playing our best performances in the first games. We might as well save them for the quarter-finals or further than that.
"We've taken something from every game - whether that was the Haiti game that was physical, the Denmark game when we lost our key player [Walsh], the China game where we changed formation completely, and against Nigeria we had a red card.
"Everything that has been thrown at us, we've dealt with. I don't see many other teams who have had that adversity.
"If they have, I don't think they have managed to overcome it in the way we have."
Walsh relieved at rapid recovery
Keira Walsh was taken off on a stretcher in the game against Denmark
England were boosted by the news that Walsh's knee injury was not as bad as first thought, and she played 120 minutes in the last-16 win against Nigeria.
There had initially been concerns the midfielder had suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury but a subsequent scan allayed such fears.
"Obviously a lot of high profile players have them [ACL] so it's in the media a lot," Walsh told BBC Sport. "When I went down, I wasn't too worried about my ACL. Everyone in the media was but straight away I knew it wasn't; it was a different pain.
"In these tournaments, you know one injury and you could miss the rest of the games, but England have such a good medical team and turn it around quickly, and luckily I was back on the pitch after 10 days."
Following her sending off, James - who has three goals for England at the Women's World Cup so far - apologised, saying she would learn from the experience.
The forward was sent off against Nigeria following a VAR review for stamping on Michelle Alozie's back.
"She's disappointed," Walsh added. "She made a mistake but she apologised to team after the game and apologised on social media to the girl.
"It was really out of character for her. We were all surprised. We've got to get round her best we can and support her."
On her absence from the quarter-final against Colombia, Walsh added: "She's a massive loss. You can see she has massive moments in her and can change the game at a switch.
"But there are 22 players now and we have to focus on that. We have to focus on Colombia with the team we've got."
What began with Aitana Bonmati bending a game to her will ended with France setting up a tasty quarter-final with hosts Australia who eased Sam Kerr onto the pitch 19 days into the ninth Women’s World Cup. In between, the round of 16 produced Japan’s panache, Lauren James’ petulance, Nigeria’s perseverance, Ana Guzman’s brilliance and a heroic shift by Zecira Musovic that took USA to the tie-breaker before goalline technology killed the defending champions’ aspirations of a three-peat.
Linda Caicedo and Daniela Caracas celebrate at the end of the Women's World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Jamaica and Colombia in Melbourne,(AP)
If the second round was about teams showing that the expanded World Cup was an idea whose time had come – at 72, Morocco were the lowest-ranked team ever in the last 16 – the quarter-finals, beginning on Friday where each player is assured of $90,000 in prize money, have the look and feel of the high table of the women’s game. Six of the teams are among the world’s top 10 and Japan, the only former world champions remaining, are 11th. Five of the eight are from Europe showing a shift in the power axis from North America with Olympic champions Canada eliminated in the group league.
Playing their first quarter-finals in a competition no South American team has won, Colombia, at 25th are the only country outside the top 20 in FIFA rankings. It could mean the draw has been kinder to them but given how Nigeria, ranked 40th, had the better chances, England may be inclined to view things differently. Especially in a tournament where rankings haven’t always reflected performance.
That said, England have shown they can adapt and be proactive. Under Sarina Wiegman, the only woman coach remaining from the 12 that started this 32-team competition, England blew away China with a back three and adjusted to a back-four to ensure Nigeria could not exploit space behind wing-backs after James’ sending-off. Yes, Linda Caicedo has had a couple of quiet games and her 2022 under-17 World Cup teammate Guzman showed Colombia’s attacking efficiency with a crossfield assist but the European champions, unbeaten in 36 of their last 37 games, will be favourites in the last of the quarter-finals.
You couldn’t say that for the other games. Though they will miss midfielder Danielle van de Donk, who is suspended, and were tested by South Africa before Kaylin Swart’s error fetched the insurance goal, Netherlands are the runners-up from the last edition. They held USA 1-1 in the group league, have made the knockout rounds for the third successive edition and notched up the biggest win of the tournament (7-0 against Vietnam). So, they won’t be overawed by Spain who are in the quarter-finals for the first time.
Spain sizzled against Switzerland showing no after-effects of the hiding they received from Japan. Like all Spain teams, men or women, coach Jorge Vilda’s side loves the ball – they had 70% possession against Switzerland – and can play a dizzying array of passes. With two goals and two assists, Bonmati led the show; her second goal scored after shifting the ball from her right foot to left and taking out three Swiss players in the process being the evening’s highlight.
That was the round of 16’s best move till Caitlin Foord found Mary Fowler. Fowler produced a pass that went through lines of Dane players and Foord scootered to meet it before finishing the move with two touches. Kerr’s left calf has healed, Foord is among goals – “I think she even has more to give moving forward in this tournament,” said Australia defender Alanna Kennedy –Hayley Raso tends to pop up at the right place at the right time and Australia have beaten France going into the World Cup.
But that has also been France’s only loss in 18 games in 2023. They tamed Brazil and cruised past Morocco though three goals from Panama are proof that the defence can be vulnerable. Also, playing against the home team riding on a massive wave of support can do things to the best of players.
France coach Herve Renard is hoping the reverse will happen. “We're hoping to put Australia through exactly what France went through when they were the host country in 2019,” he said. Then, France lost 1-2 to USA.
Musovic first among equals
In a tournament that will be remembered for excellent goalkeeping from Vietnam’s Tran Thi Kim Thanh, Olivia McDaniel of the Philippines, Nigeria skipper Chiamaka Nnadozie, USA’s Alyssa Naeher, England’s Mary Earp and Netherlands’ Daphne van Domselaa, Musovic stood out for her brilliance in the previous round. With USA finally looking like they were getting into the groove, Musovic made 11 saves to push the four-time winners to the penalties where the teams were separated by goalline technology which meant that Lina Hurtig’s shot in sudden death would be the decisive kick.
“I think that she did incredible tonight, she made some saves that not many goalkeepers in the world can make,” said USA coach Vlatko Andonovski. “I think that she's probably one of the main reasons, if not the only reason (we lost).”
At 5 foot 11, Musovic, 27, is the tallest goalkeeper remaining after Ann-Katrin Berger of Germany exited in the group stage. The economics major isn’t Chelsea’s first choice, Berger is, but that could change given the string of saves, the best being getting a hand to a Lindsay Horan shot that was travelling at 92kmph.
Sweden were third in the last World Cup and second in the last Olympics but against Japan, for whom Hinata Miyazawa has scored five goals and who have looked comfortable with or without the ball, they will count on Musovic’s form to extend their stay.
The big numbers
6: Teams from the world's top 10 in FIFA rankings are in the round of 8.
1: Japan are the only former world champions in the fray. They won in 2011.
25th: Colombia are the lowest-ranked team remaining
19: Goals from open play from 8 round-of-16 games. That's 2.35 goals per game. It was 1.15 per game after 48 group-stage games.
5: Goals from Japan's Hinata Miyazawa. She scored 4 in 20 internationals before the World Cup.
1.53m: Attendance going into the quarter-finals. This is the most-watched World Cup beating the record of 1.35m in 2015.
Maguire, who joined Manchester United in 2019 for a then-world-record fee of £80 million, quickly established himself as a crucial presence on the pitch and was appointed as club captain within six months of his arrival. However, recent times have seen the 30-year-old Englishman face challenges under the management of Erik ten Hag, leading to a decline in his prominence within the squad.
Despite his earlier stature, Maguire found himself sidelined as the preferred center-back duo of Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez took the reins, with even left-back Luke Shaw stepping into the central role on occasion. The tide of leadership shifted in July 2023 when Bruno Fernandes, the Portuguese midfield maestro, was named the new captain of Manchester United, relegating Maguire from his previous role.
Erik ten Hag, the current manager, hinted at Maguire’s uncertain future with the club before the commencement of the World Cup, stating, “I have to think about it. I have to see Aston Villa, and it’s going to be difficult because we don’t know, it’s a new manager. So I have to have a look and analyze that team and then we have a choice.”
The verbal agreement between West Ham and Manchester United, as reported by Skysports, is subject to finalizing crucial aspects of the deal’s structure. Although specific details are still under discussion, both parties have agreed upon the transfer fee. An earlier bid of £20 million for Maguire had been turned down earlier in the transfer window.
Maguire’s journey with Manchester United has seen him make 219 appearances for the club, netting 11 goals along the way. As he looks set to potentially embark on a new chapter of his career with West Ham United, fans and football enthusiasts alike await further developments regarding the transfer.
While this verbal agreement signifies a pivotal moment in the ongoing transfer market, the intricate details surrounding the deal remain to be seen. As both clubs work to finalize the terms, the football world remains captivated by the potential move of Harry Maguire from Manchester United to West Ham United.
Nigerian record-breaking athlete, Tobi Amusan was not included in the list of 26 athletes released by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria for the 2023 World Athletics Championships on Tuesday.
The world champion and record holder in the women’s 100-meter hurdles was conspicuously absent from the list due to the doping scandal surrounding the record-breaking athlete.
The competition, which runs from August 19 to August 27 in Budapest, Hungary, will feature 11 male competitors and 15 female athletes from Nigeria.
Ese Brume, who finished second in the competition the previous year, is expected to go for gold in Budapest this year. She will compete in the long jump event alongside Ruth Usoro. Sade Olatoye (Hammer) and Chioma Onyekwere (Discuss) are two famous ladies on the AFN list.
National champion Usheoritshe Itshekiri, Favour Ashe, Seye Ogunlewe, Alaba Akintola, Fakorede Adekalu, and Anunagba Karlington will be spread across the men’s 100m and 4x100m relay races, just as Rosemary Chukwuma, Favour Ofili, Faith Okwose, Justina Eyakpobeyan, and Success Umukoro will compete in the women’s 100m and 4x100m event.
Nigeria has a large number of medal contenders on the list, although Amusan’s status is yet unknown to the AFN.
Since the hurdler failed three drug tests this year, the Athletics Integrity Unit provisionally suspended her one month before the championships, casting doubt on her eligibility to compete.
The AIU additionally disclosed that there will be a hearing on her case before the World Championships with only 10 days left until this year’s competition. Additionally, she pledged to refute the accusations and prove her innocence, but nothing has come of the procedures yet
Anthony Joshua will fight Robert Helenius in London on Saturday after the Finnish boxer was parachuted in as a late replacement for Dillian Whyte.
The scheduled all-British heavyweight bout was cancelled last weekend when “adverse analytical findings” were detected in a doping test conducted by Whyte, who has vowed to clear his name.
Helenius, 39, fought in his homeland on Saturday but has answered the call to take on the former two-time world heavyweight champion.
“This wasn’t in the script,” said Joshua. “I respect Helenius and, may I say, I respect any male or female who steps into the ring.
“I am laser-focused on the win. I can make steps forward to bigger and better things but the road map has a check point — Saturday night. May the best man win.”
Helenius, who has 32 wins and four defeats from his 36 professional bouts, was knocked out in the first round by Deontay Wilder in October.
“I am a true Viking that is willing to face any challenge at a moment’s notice,” said Helenius.
“This is not an opportunity I was going to let slip away. I plan to make the most of it!”
