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      Cristiano Ronaldo takes private jet to Zurich with Georgina and son to accept Fifa goalscoring gong at ‘The Best’ awards

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO was handed a special gong at Fifa’s ‘The Best’ awards after becoming the world’s all-time leading international goalscorer.Ronaldo, 36, moved above Iran’s Ali Daei when he netted his 110th and 111th strikes for Portugal against the Republic of Ireland in September.
      Cristiano Ronaldo won a special Fifa award for becoming the all-time leading international goalscorerCredit: Getty
      Ronaldo took a private jet to Zurich with Georgina Rodriguez and son Cristiano JrCredit: Instagram @cristiano
      The incredible goalscoring display, which featured a trademark last-gasp winner, saw Ronaldo become the outright international strike king.
      And Manchester United’s veteran forward, who now sits on 115 international goals, was honoured at Monday night’s ‘The Best’ ceremony in Zurich.
      Rnoaldo, who took a private jet to Switzerland with pregnant partner Georgina Rodriguez and eldest son Cristiano Jr, declared: “First of all I have to say thank you to my team-mates, especially the national team during the last years.
      “I never thought [I would beat] the record, to score 115 – the record was 109, right? So, six goals ahead. I’m so proud for this special award from FIFA, an organisation I respect a lot.
      “Of course, I have to say thank you to my family, my wife, my kids – and soon I will be a father again, so really proud. It’s a great achievement.”
      “I still have the passion for the game. Not just to score goals, but to entertain myself because I played football since I was five or five or six years old.
      Portugal star broke Ali Daei’s record against the Republic of Ireland in September
      Ronaldo posed with his award alongside pregnant GeorginaCredit: Instagram @cristiano
      @font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-zkaekv{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-zkaekv::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -1px);}.css-zkaekv::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Most read in Football.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
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      “When I get on the pitch, even in training, I still enjoy it. My motivation is still there, even though I’m gonna be 37 soon.
      “I feel good, I feel motivated. I’ve kept working hard since I was 18 years old and I continue. I love the game, I still have that passion and I want to continue.
      “People ask me sometimes how many more years I’m going to play and I say, ‘I hope to play four or five more years’.
      “It’s all about mentally, because I thought if you treat your body good, when you’re gonna need your body, it will give back.”
      Despite his unique award, Ronaldo was snubbed in the Player of the Year shortlist.
      And the trophy ended up going to Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski, who controversially missed out on December’s Ballon d’Or to Lionel Messi.
      Ronaldo did, however, earn a spot in a bizarre front FOUR in Fifpro’s World XI, in which Liverpool’s Mo Salah somehow missed out.
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      Meanwhile, Chelsea’s Edouard Mendy won Best Goalkeeper, with Thomas Tuchel named Best Coach.
      And Erik Lamela took home the Puskas Award for his rabona strike against Arsenal.

      ⚽ Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford More

    • 250 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Cristiano Ronaldo jets to Zurich with Georgina and son to pick up special Fifa goalscoring gong at ‘The Best’ awards

      by

      CRISTIANO RONALDO was handed a special gong at Fifa’s ‘The Best’ awards after becoming the all-time leading international goalscorer.Ronaldo, 36, moved above Iran’s Ali Daei when he netted his 110th and 111th strikes for Portugal against the Republic of Ireland in September.
      Cristiano Ronaldo won a special Fifa award for becoming the all-time leading international goalscorerCredit: Getty
      Ronaldo took a private jet to Zurich with Georgina Rodriguez and son Cristiano JrCredit: Instagram @cristiano
      The incredible goalscoring display, which featured a trademark last-gasp winner, saw Ronaldo become the outright international strike king.
      And Manchester United’s veteran forward, who now sits on 115 international goals, was honoured at Monday night’s ‘The Best’ ceremony in Zurich.
      Rnoaldo, who took a private jet to Switzerland with pregnant partner Georgina Rodriguez and eldest son Cristiano Jr, declared: “First of all I have to say thank you to my team-mates, especially the national team during the last years.
      “I never thought [I would beat] the record, to score 115 – the record was 109, right? So, six goals ahead. I’m so proud for this special award from FIFA, an organisation I respect a lot.
      “Of course, I have to say thank you to my family, my wife, my kids – and soon I will be a father again, so really proud. It’s a great achievement.”
      “I still have the passion for the game. Not just to score goals, but to entertain myself because I played football since I was five or five or six years old.
      Portugal star broke Ali Daei’s record against the Republic of Ireland in September
      Ronaldo posed with his award alongside pregnant GeorginaCredit: Instagram @cristiano
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      “When I get on the pitch, even in training, I still enjoy it. My motivation is still there, even though I’m gonna be 37 soon.
      “I feel good, I feel motivated. I’ve kept working hard since I was 18 years old and I continue. I love the game, I still have that passion and I want to continue.
      “People ask me sometimes how many more years I’m going to play and I say, ‘I hope to play four or five more years’.
      “It’s all about mentally, because I thought if you treat your body good, when you’re gonna need your body, it will give back.”
      Despite his unique award, Ronaldo was snubbed in the Player of the Year shortlist.
      And the trophy ended up going to Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski, who controversially missed out on December’s Ballon d’Or to Lionel Messi.
      Ronaldo did, however, earn a spot in a bizarre front FOUR in Fifpro’s World XI, in which Liverpool’s Mo Salah somehow missed out.
      Meanwhile, Chelsea’s Edouard Mendy won Best Goalkeeper, with Thomas Tuchel named Best Coach.
      And Erik Lamela took home the Puskas Award for his rabona strike against Arsenal.

      ⚽ Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford More

    • 188 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Watch Puskas Award contender as ex-Rangers forward Greg Stewart scores sneaky Indian Super League stunner

      by

      EX-RANGERS striker Greg Stewart made himself a sure contender for the illustrious Puskas Award with a stunning strike in the Indian Super League.The 31-year-old gave current side Jamshedpur the lead against rivals Kerala Blasters with a sublime free-kick in the 14th minute of the riveting Boxing Day clash.
      Blasters stopper Gill was still half-asleep as Stewart thumped home his stunning goal from a free-kick
      Stewart’s rocket wowed users on Twitter who urged Fifa to award him with the Puskas Award
      Blasters keeper Prabhsukhan Singh Gill was in no man’s land when Stewart swiftly curled the ball towards the left side of the net from the set-piece.
      Gill was left trying to scramble back in time to thwart Stewart’s screamer but he was helpless as the ball rattled the post and eased past the goal-line.
      But the goal was no fluke and Stewart revealed that he noticed Gill usually stood away from his post during set-pieces when studying the opposition’s keeper before the game.
      When asked about his goal after the match, the ex-Birmingham City attacker said: “I done my homework on their goalkeeper.
      “I noticed that he takes chances from free-kicks, he stands quite far from his front post.
      “I’ve just tried to find the corner, and luckily enough it went in the top corner for myself.”
      Already better than Ronaldo if we are being honest and unbiased— 𝑴𝒂𝒔𝒉 (@Messizzzling) December 28, 2021

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      However, Stewart’s rocket wasn’t enough to give his side victory and Blasters equalised just 10 minutes after the Scot’s beauty.
      But the scoreline was of little interest to fans who raved about Stewart’s effort on Twitter where the clip was viewed a whopping million times.
      One user was so impressed with the former Dundee star’s goal that they urged Fifa to consider him for the Puskas Award that Tottenham ace Son Heung-Min won in 2020.
      Another user even bizarrely claimed that the goal was better than any Cristiano Ronaldo has scored so far this season.
      The Manchester United striker, who’s got his side out of trouble on quite a few occasions this season with some important goals, won the inaugural Puskas Award in 2009.
      Although the Portuguese hit-man failed to find the net in United’s dismal 1-1 draw with Newcastle this week
      He’s also said to be embroiled in a leadership battle with club captain Harry Maguire as the club are going through a tumultuous phase under interim boss Ralf Rangnick. More

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      Chelsea become strong favourites to win Club World Championship after getting easier draw for tournament next year

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      CHELSEA have become even stronger favourites to become Club World Champions for the first time after the tournament draw in Zurich.Thomas Tuchel’s Blues will face a semi-final against Asian champions Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia or the winners of the preliminary tie between Auckland City and Al Jazeera of the UAE.
      Chelsea have been given the easiest route possible to become the Club World Champions next yearCredit: Getty
      They are then on course for a showdown with Copa Libertadores winners Palmeiras of Brazil in the Final, although the South Americans first have to get past Mexico’s Monterrey or Egypt’s African champs Al Ahly.
      It represents the easiest possible route for the Stamford Bridge outfit after months of uncertainty.
      Chelsea had been due to travel to Japan for the tournament this month.
      But Covid issues forced the planned hosts to give up the tournament and it was only in October that Fifa confirmed the matches will now be played in the UAE in February.
      It means that Chelsea’s scheduled Prem game at Brighton on February 8 and the London derby against Arsenal due for February 12 will be postponed and rescheduled.
      Chelsea are aiming to become the third Prem side to win the title since it was launched in 2000, following Manchester United in 2008 and Liverpool in 2019.

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      The Stamford Bridge outfit, then under the hand of Rafa Benitez, lost in the 2013 Final to Brazil’s Corinthians, with Gary Cahill sent off as they slipped to a 1-0 defeat in Yokohama.
      Former Chelsea skipper John Terry was supposed to be part of the draw ceremony but the forced 10-day quarantine for UK visitors to Switzerland, imposed over the weekend, prevented him from travelling.
      The Swiss nation took the drastic measure in a bid to contain the new deadly  strain of coronavirus – Omicron.
      As it stands this morning, The Sun reported there are currently 14 cases of Omicron across Britain, with the figure set to steadily increase throughout the day.
      Scotland have reported nine cases so far, with others popping up in Australia, Italy, Germany, South Africa, Botswana, Belgium, Hong Kong, Czech Republic and Israel.
      Thomas Tuchel reacts to Chelsea’s 1-1 draw with Man Utd More

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      Chelsea’s Berger up for Fifa Keeper gong with Kerr, White and Miedema nominated for player’s prize

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      ANN-KATRIN BERGER is among the top stoppers shortlisted for Fifa’s Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year award.And Berger’s Chelsea team-mate Sam Kerr and Arsenal’s Vivianne Miedema are two of seven WSL stars in the running for the Best Women’s Player prize.
      Ann-Katrin Berger is one of four keepers from Europe’s top clubs vying for a Fifa prizeCredit: Getty
      Arsenal’s Vivianne Miedema is among the WSL stars named on the Best Women’s Player shortlistCredit: Alamy
      Denmark captain Pernille Harder and South Korea’s Ji So-yun are among the Kingsmeadow stars in contention along with Sweden centre-back Magdalena Eriksson.
      And England and Manchester City aces Ellen White and Lucy Bronze are also among the group of 13 vying for the Fifa gong.
      Other stars of the game shortlisted include Jenni Hermoso, Aitana Bonmati and Caroline Graham Hansen who were all part of the Barcelona team that defeated Chelsea in this year’s Champions League final.
      However, one major WSL name surprisingly missing from the list is Chelsea’s Fran Kirby who enjoyed a standout trophy-winning season with the Blues last term.
      The in-form Kingsmeadow ace netted her 100th goal for Emma Hayes side when they hammered Birmingham 5-0 to keep pace with Arsenal.
      And the England forward racked up 16 WSL goals and 11 assists last season, before winning the PFA Women’s Player of the Year Award.

      Emma Hayes and Sarina Wiegman are among the five managers nominated for Fifa’s Best Women’s Coach Award.
      The Chelsea and England bosses will be up against Canada chief Beverley Priestman, ex-Barcelona manager Lluis Cortes and Sweden boss Peter Gerhardsson.
      Former Netherlands boss Wiegman, who was the winner of last year’s Women’s Coach gong, has led the Lionesses to four World Cup qualifying wins since taking charge of the side in September.  
      An online ceremony for the award winners, who will be chosen through a public vote, is due to take place on Monday 17 January 2022.
      England manager Sarina Wiegman is in the running for Fifa’s Best Women’s Coach gongCredit: PA
      Winners will be chosen by an international panel of ten Fifa-appointed experts from across the sport.
      The group includes former England and Chelsea star Eni Aluko, Spain-born ex- Birmingham boss Marta Tejedor and former Arsenal and Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Emma Byrne.
      Public voting for nominees will run online until the deadline of Friday 10 December.
      Fifa’s 2021 Best Women’s Player and Goalkeeper shortlist Best Women’s Player nominees
      Stina Blackstenius, (Sweden/BK Hacken), Aitana Bonmati (Spain/Barcelona), Lucy Bronze (England/Manchester City) Magdalena Eriksson (Sweden/Chelsea), Caroline Graham Hansen (Norway/Barcelona), Pernille Harder (Denmark/Chelsea), Jennifer Hermoso (Spain/Barcelona), Ji So-yun (South Korea/Chelsea), Sam Kerr (Australia/Chelsea), Vivianne Miedema (Netherlands/Arsenal), Alexa Puttellas (Spain/Barcelona), Christine Sinclair (Canada/Portland Thorns), Ellen White (England/Manchester City)
      Best Women Goalkeeper nominees
      Ann-Katrin Berger (Germany/Chelsea FC Women), Christine Endler (Chile/ Paris Saint-Germain/Lyon), Hedvig Lindahl (Sweden/Atletico Madrid), Alyssa Naeher (USA/Chicago Redstars).
      Best Women’s Coach nominees
      Beverley Priestman (England/Canada Women’s team), Emma Hayes (England/Chelsea), Lluis Cortes (Spain/Barcelona), Peter Gerhardsson (Sweden/Sweden Women’s team), Sarina Wiegman (Netherlands/England Women’s team) More

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      Ex-Arsenal legend Lauren working with former Invincibles boss Arsene Wenger after taking technical expert role at Fifa

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      EX-ARSENAL star Lauren is working for his old boss Arsene Wenger again after taking up a job at Fifa.The two-time Premier League winner, 44, has been appointed as a technical expert for talent development in Africa for the world football governing body.
      Lauren and former Arsenal boss Wenger are working together once again at FifaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Lauren won two Prem titles under WengerCredit: Getty – Contributor
      In his new role, the former right-back will be tasked with making African football more competitive on the international stage.
      Wenger, who managed Lauren for six years as Gunners boss, is Fifa’s current chief of global football development.
      Invincibles star Lauren said: “I couldn’t be more excited to be taking up the role.
      “I feel proud to be joining the Fifa family and there’s also a great sense of responsibility.”
      If Lauren and Wenger can replicate their success together at Arsenal, their FIFA partnership should go well.
      Lauren played 242 games for the Gunners spanning from 2000-07 and won two Prem titles with Wenger.

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      Wenger stayed on at the club for just over another decade, but reflecting on his time in North London, he reckons he should’ve quit sooner.
      In an intimate self-titled documentary, coupled with the Invincible slogan, Wenger revealed that staying with Arsenal for so long was a mistake, and he now feels going on to manage one of the many big clubs who were chasing him at the time would’ve been the best option.
      And as FIFA chief, Wenger’s also making waves in the football world with his plans for a World Cup every two years.
      But the Frenchman’s idea hasn’t gone down too well with Premier League sides who unanimously voted against the project.
      He’s also facing opposition from the other side of the continent as South American nations announced they won’t be taking part in a biennial World Cup.
      However, Wenger has refused to let the idea die and called for a more ‘modern’ relationship between international and domestic football.
      Arsene Wenger sensationally reveals he tipped Arsenal to go season unbeaten before 2003-04 Invincibles campaign More

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      Arsenal legend Wenger refuses to back down on plan for World Cup every two years to ‘give more countries a chance’

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      ARSENE WENGER is refusing to back down on his plan for a World Cup every two years.The former Arsenal boss has been the lead voice on Fifa chief Gianni Infantino’s proposal.
      Arsene Wenger still wants to hold a World Cup every two yearsCredit: Getty
      Infantino was forced into a significant retreat last month when three of his key allies turned their backs on the World Cup idea.
      It meant the planned D-day meeting, pencilled in for next month, was instead turned into a “summit” for further discussion.
      But Wenger, speaking alongside David Dein at a special fundraising event for the Twinning Project at the London Palladium, said: “The calendar is fixed until 2024 and nobody knows what will happen after that.
      “It needs to change because we need a more modern relationship between national team football and club football.
      “Covid has added to the problems. Today the whole world plays in Europe and that means that in the international break the players have to travel from there back all over the world for qualifiers.”
      Wenger, in his role as Fifa’s global head of football development, has also launched a new online training academy centre designed to offer drills from grassroots to elite level and be accessible around the world.

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      And the Frenchman tied that in to his World Cup argument as he added: “We want to educate all the countries.
      “The quality of competition for young players doesn’t fit everywhere in the world and that is what we want to change.
      “But I believe we have to give more countries the chance to play at a World Cup, which is why I came up with this idea of a tournament every two years.
      “I don’t decide that. It will be up to the 211 member associations of Fifa.
      “In Europe the infrastructure is there, in England too. But this is about the rest of the world.”
      ⚽ Read our Arsenal live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from The Emirates
      Arsene Wenger sensationally reveals he tipped Arsenal to go season unbeaten before 2003-04 Invincibles campaign More

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      Disgraced former Fifa and Uefa chiefs Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini charged with fraud over £1.6million payment

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      DISGRACED former Fifa and Uefa chiefs Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini have been charged with fraud over a £1.6million payment to the French football legend.The pair have been charged following a six-year investigation into a payment of 2.19m Swiss francs from Fifa to Platini.
      Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini have been charged with fraud over a £1.6million payment made in 2011Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      It’s alleged Platini, 66, wrote to Fifa in January 2011 demanding a backdated salary, having worked as an adviser to Blatter between 1998 and 2002.
      Both Platini and Blatter – who served as Fifa president between 1998 and 2015 – deny any wrongdoing, claiming a verbal contract was in place for over 20 years.
      However, the pair could now face trial in a court in Bellinoza, Switzerland in a matter of months after federal prosecutors claimed the ‘payment damaged Fifa’s assets and unlawfully enriched Platini’.
      If found guilty, Blatter, 85, and Platini could face sentences of several years in jail or hefty fines.
      An Office of the Attorney General (OAG) of Switzerland statement confirmed the charges.
      The OAG claim the payment – which equates to £1.6m – was unlawfully arranged.

      A statement read: “The OAG accuses Joseph Blatter of fraud, in the alternative of misappropriation, in the further alternative of criminal mismanagement as well as of forgery of a document.
      “Michel Platini is accused of fraud, in the alternative of participating in misappropriation, for in the further alternative of participating in criminal mismanagement, as an accomplice, as well as of forgery of a document.”
      The case has been ongoing since 2015, when Blatter was sacked over the controversial payment.
      Both were banned from all footballing activity at the time.
      Platini had hoped to take over from Blatter as Fifa chief having been in charge of Uefa between 2007 and 2015.
      But the case saw his chances left in tatters and the former France international was forced to resign as Uefa chief a year later after losing an appeal against his ban.
      Platini’s lawyer, Dominic Nellen, told the BBC his client ‘categorically denies the untrue accusations’, adding it was ‘clear the investigation should have been discontinued long ago’.
      Nellen claimed: “There are enough witness reports and documents in the case files that prove my client’s innocence.
      “I am 100 per cent confident we will be able to prove my client’s innocence in court.”
      Blatter claimed he hopes the ‘story will come to an end’, saying ‘all responsible Fifa bodies’ had approved the payment.
      The ex-Fifa chief also claimed Platini had paid tax on the payment ‘at his Swiss residence’. More