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      Lionel Messi transfer request ‘to be given green light by Fifa within one week’ despite Barcelona contract clause row

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      FIFA will reportedly side with Lionel Messi in the wantaway star’s exit clause war with Barcelona.
      Following the Argentine striker’s transfer request to leave the Camp Nou, the club are fiercely demanding any prospective bidders meet his release clause.

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      Lionel Messi should have an ally in Fifa when it comes to forcing through his release clauseCredit: AFP
      With Messi’s buyout standing at an inconceivable £630million, the 33-year-old is said to have enacted a clause allowing him to leave for free.
      The stipulation applied to the end of the 2019/20 campaign, which was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
      And Barcelona have reportedly told Messi it has expired – potentially setting in motion a huge legal battle.

      With the June 10 deadline passed, the player’s entourage believe a natural extension is enforceable due to the pandemic.

      And, according to El Pais, Fifa will not stand in their way if they hit the eject button.
      The Spanish newspaper claim to have been told by sources inside football’s governing body that it has no precedent to prevent Messi from leaving.
      In the last 15 years, there have been no interventions from Fifa or the Court of Arbitration for Sport on cases that would apply to dealing with this latest saga.
      As a result, Messi would only have to apply to Fifa’s Transfer Matching System to fill out the relevant documentation and complete a move.

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      However, the transfer may not be that simple with Barcelona reportedly planning to take the matter to the courts.
      A negotiated agreement is still possible but the exact fee may be taken out of both parties’ hands if the dispute enters the Barcelona legal system.
      Catalan media reports suggest a compromised fee of £199m will be accepted by the LaLiga giants to allow their talisman a transfer.
      Newspaper Sport also note that, were Messi to make an unlikely move across Spain, Fifa’s influence would be diminished further as the country’s laws would take precedence over the Swiss organisation’s.
      Should the striker get his wish, Manchester City appear best-placed to secure his services.
      Financial Fair Play is reportedly a big factor in the ability of Pep Guardiola’s side to complete a deal however, with Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain watching keenly.

      Lionel Messi ‘has contacted old Barcelona mentor Pep Guardiola’ to tell him he wants Man City transfer More

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      The Best Fifa Football Awards 2020 set to go ahead, claims Bayern chief with Robert Lewandowski on course to win

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      FIFA’S The Best awards are set to go ahead this year, claims Bayern Munich’s chairman.
      France Football announced in July the Ballon d’Or has been scrapped for 2020 due to the coronavirus crisis.

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      Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge reckons Fifa will put on their The Best awards, won by Lionel Messi last time, for 2020Credit: Getty – Contributor
      But Bayern chief Karl-Heinz Rummenigge insists Fifa’s president Gianni Infantino is planning for the governing body’s version of the award to go ahead as usual.
      Rummenigge told Kicker: “According to a statement by the President of Fifa, this award should take place.
      “Gianni Infantino told me that the award should be given to the best player, the best goalkeeper and the best coach. That is very welcome.”
      The prestigious best men’s player gong – now in its fifth year – was won by Cristiano Ronaldo in 2016 and 2017 before Luka Modric and then Lionel Messi.

      And Rummenigge has a particular interest in this year’s awards being handed out… because Robert Lewandowski is the favourite – just as he was for the Ballon d’Or.
      The Bayern Munich and Poland striker, 31, has been in sensational form this year.
      He has 54 goals for the season so far, with potentially two matches still to go – Bayern face Lyon in the Champions League semi-finals.
      That figure includes 24 in 2020 alone, despite a three-month suspension to the season.

      It’s a disgrace that they have taken the Ballon d’Or away for this year.
      Rio Ferdinand

      BT Sport pundit Rio Ferdinand even joked Lewandowski should start a petition to get the annual awards on this year.
      The Ballon d’Or was axed due to the “lack of sufficient fair conditions” with some seasons being cut short, matches played behind closed doors and five substitutions.
      Ferdinand said: “If I’m Lewandowski and they have cancelled the Ballon d’Or, I’m starting up a petition to get it back on.

      “I can’t believe they have cancelled it. It’s cruel. Lewandowski deserves to win that award for what he has done this season and if he leads Bayern Munich to the Champions League and they still decide they won’t give it out to him, it’s not right.
      “I think it’s a disgrace that they have taken it away for this year.
      “Why can’t they give the award out, even if they don’t have a big ceremony to hand it over like they normally do? I think it’s really out of order.”

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      Robert Lewandowski is the favourite for Fifa’s The Best award if it goes ahead following his stunning year with Bayern MunichCredit: Getty – Pool

      Robert Lewandowski shows off his remarkable skills hitting bottle off fan’s head More

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      Cristiano Ronaldo pictured in Man City shirt on FIFA 21 graphic leaving fans dreaming of transfer

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      FIFA have gone to the finest of details to make Cristiano Ronaldo appear as lifelike as possible… except they stuck him in a Manchester City shirt.
      EA Sports are preparing for the huge launch of the latest version of their popular football game, which is set to hit the shelves on October 6.

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      EA Sports stuck Cristiano Ronaldo in a Manchester City shirt for some strange reasonCredit: Instagram / @fifa21_offical
      Updating their loyal legion of fans on Instagram, they showed fans what they can expect on FIFA 21 with their incredible graphics.
      Ronaldo, 35, appears brilliantly realistic with every effort gone into his facial features and hair.
      But for some strange reason, he is wearing a Manchester City shirt despite playing for Italian giants Juventus.
      Fans were quick to comment, with one writing: “Looking good and all that, but why is he in a Man City shirt?”

      Another said: “One of the few impossible things in football.”
      A third joked: “That must mean Ronaldo to Man City.”
      And a Man City fan commented: “Does this mean we’re signing Ronaldo?”
      EA Sports are making changes to the new game including removing certain celebrations to prevent spreading “toxic” behaviour among gamers.

      The renowned ‘shushing’ celebration is just one of those to be scrapped.
      It consists of a player holding his finger to his lips after finding the target to ‘shush’ the opposing fans into silence.
      Another celebration to go is the ‘A-OK’ hand gesture which was last year added to a list of hate symbols because of its connotations with white supremacists.

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      Fans questioned why the Juventus start was wearing City’s blueCredit: Icon Sport – Getty
      EA said in a statement: “We were told by the community that there are toxic behaviours in the game and we wanted to make sure we removed them.
      “So we removed some of the celebrations that people thought were not the best idea to have in the game.
      “The flow is shorter, which is to try to keep you playing most of the time instead of just waiting.
      “All together the intention there is just to keep you playing instead of doing other things that may not be necessary in the game.”

      Every year, the new FIFA promises to be more intelligent than the previous year and 21 is no different.
      This time around, the player’s tactical rating will affect their ability to deploy their stats for pace, dribbling and shooting – meaning lesser stars cannot dominate due to just one ability.
      FIFA remains one of the most popular games in the world having announced that over 10 million people played the current version.

      AS Roma will not feature on FIFA 21 after refusing to give EA Sports licence to use their name and players More

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      EA Sports removes FIFA 21 ‘toxic’ celebrations after complaints from gamers with no more ‘shushing’ or ‘A-OK’ gestures

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      EA SPORTS will remove certain celebrations from FIFA 21 to prevent spreading “toxic” behaviour among gamers.
      The renowned ‘shushing’ celebration is just one of those to be scrapped.

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      EA Sports are scrapping a number of ‘toxic’ celebrations in FIFA21
      It consists of a player holding his finger to his lips after finding the target to ‘shush’ the opposing fans into silence.
      Another celebration to go is the ‘A-OK’ hand gesture which was last year added to a list of hate symbols because of its connotations with white supremacists.
      EA said in a statement: “We were told by the community that there are toxic behaviours in the game and we wanted to make sure we removed them.
      “So we removed some of the celebrations that people thought were not the best idea to have in the game.

      “The flow is shorter, which is to try to keep you playing most of the time instead of just waiting.
      “All together the intention there is just to keep you playing instead of doing other things that may not be necessary in the game.”
      FIFA are expected to release the latest version of their popular game on October 9.

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      Cristiano Ronaldo is no stranger to the ‘shushing’ celebrationCredit: Reuters

      Every year, the new FIFA promises to be more intelligent than the previous year and 21 is no different.

      This time around, the player’s tactical rating will affect their ability to deploy their stats for pace, dribbling and shooting – meaning lesser stars cannot dominate due to just one ability.
      FIFA remains one of the most popular games in the world having announced that over 10 million people played the current version.

      AS Roma will not feature on FIFA 21 after refusing to give EA Sports licence to use their name and players More

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      Premier League clubs vote to return to using just three subs and seven players on bench next season

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      PREMIER League clubs have voted to revert to a maximum of three substitutes and seven players on the bench for next season.
      The vote of the 20 clubs at their virtual summer meeting is understood to have demonstrated the divisions that exist.

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      Five subs were allowed for the Premier League’s restart from the coronavirus shutdownCredit: Reuters
      While the top half of the league backed Chelsea proposals to continue to allow five substitutes from a bench of nine, they fell well short of the required two thirds majority.
      Instead, the opposition to the proposal, led by Aston Villa, was joined by the teams in the lower half of the table.
      Indeed, a majority of the clubs voted against the five sub plan, with a 10-10 tie on the proposal to stick with the larger bench.
      Of the promoted trio, Leeds are understood to have backed retaining a bench of nine but joined fellow new boys West Brom and Fulham in rejecting five replacements being allowed.

      Under League rules, 14 votes must be in favour of any rule change for it to be adopted and the outcome shows how things have changed in the past two months.

      When Chelsea initially proposed both rules – following Fifa’s lead – in June, they were both passed by 16 votes to four.
      But Villa boss Dean Smith’s public comments and claims that having more options benefitted the Big Six in particular appears to have struck a chord with other clubs, including those who initially backed the proposals.
      SunSport also understands that there was no vote on scrapping VAR, despite indications from West Ham that they were minded to table such a proposal.

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      FIFA 21 to introduce radical new crossing feature inspired by Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold

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      TRENT Alexander-Arnold has inspired radical new crossing features on FIFA 21.
      The England ace bagged 13 assists this season – second only to Manchester City superstar Kevin De Bruyne.

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      There will be new crossing features on FIFA 21 inspired by Trent Alexander-ArnoldCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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      FIFA 21 will be released on October 9 this year
      And EA Sports’ globally popular football game has introduced new gameplay to reflect the right-back’s impressive technique.
      Players in wide positions will be able to utilise the new moves making it easier for strikers to finish from close range.
      The new crossing techniques include:
      WHIPPED CROSS – Inspired by TAA
      R1/RB + L1/LB + ⬜/X – A ferocious bent ball will fly through the penalty box – ideal for strikers to nod past the keeper.

      DRIVEN CROSS
      R1/RB + ⬜/X – Not so different from whipped crosses but fired in at waist height instead. Perfect for a volley or glanced shot.
      GROUND DRIVEN CROSS
      R1/RB + ⬜/X then ⬜/X – A rapid ball delivered along the ground.
      FIFA 21 is released on October 9 – delayed from its usual September launch because of coronavirus.
      Fans will also hope direct free-kicks have been improved after widespread criticism of them in FIFA 20.

      Gamers can also expect new features including agile dribbling, tactical players having bigger impacts on the game, better natural collisions and improved player animations.

      Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy previously praised Alexander-Arnold for his excellent ball work and even compared him to football icon David Beckham.
      Murphy told TalkSport: “Trent’s display of passing and technical ability that we’ve not seen in a full-back for many, many years.
      “Trent, for me, is as good a crosser of the ball I’ve seen since Beckham.”

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      Alexander-Arnold was hailed for his stunning corner against Barcelona in last season’s Champions League

      Willian transfer to Arsenal appears to be confirmed in leaked PES21 clip showing Chelsea star in Gunners kit More

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      Fifa president Gianni Infantino has criminal proceedings launched against him over secret meetings with Attorney General

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      CRIMINAL proceedings have been launched against Fifa president Gianni Infantino.
      The shock revelations comes following an investigation by the Swiss special federal public prosecutor Stefan Keller.

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      Criminal proceedings have been launched against Fifa president Gianni InfantinoCredit: PA:Press Association
      Meetings between Infantino, Swiss attorney general Michael Lauber and the chief public prosecutor of the Upper Valais, Rinaldo Arnold are being looked into.
      A statement from the Swiss federal council said Keller has concluded that there are “indications of criminal conduct” in connection with those meetings.
      Both Lauber and Infantino have denied wrongdoing. Fifa did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
      The statement added: “This concerns abuse of public office (Article 312 of the Swiss Criminal Code), breach of official secrecy (Article 320 of the Swiss Criminal Code), assisting offenders (Article 305 of the Swiss Criminal Code) and incitement to these acts.

      “Additional criminal acts and the commencement of further proceedings remain reserved.”
      INFANTINO SLAMS ‘ABSURD’ CLAIMS
      It was confirmed in the same statement that Keller is seeking approval from the relevant Swiss parliamentary committees to open criminal proceedings against Lauber.
      The statement concluded: “The presumption of innocence applies to attorney general Michael Lauber, FIFA president Gianni Infantino and chief public prosecutor Rinaldo Arnold.”
      Lauber and Infantino met twice in 2016, the year Infantino was elected Fifa president.

      Infantino, 50, was asked about the case at last month’s Fifa Council meeting, and described the formal complaints against him as “absurd”.
      He said at the time: “To meet with the head prosecutor or attorney general of Switzerland is perfectly legitimate and it’s perfectly legal.”
      Infantino was elected in 2016 to replace disgraced Sepp Blatter, who also become the subject of criminal proceedings in 2015.
      Blatter, suspected of criminal mismanagement, was banned by Fifa’s own ethics committee although the investigations against him are still ongoing and he has not been charged.
      He denies wrongdoing.
      On being elected, Infantino promised to clean up Fifa and to put the focus back on football.

      Fifa was embroiled in the worst corruption scandal in its history in 2015 which led to several officials being indicted in the United States on corruption-related charges.
      Lauber last week offered to resign after a court concluded he had covered up a meeting with Infantino and lied to supervisors while his office investigated corruption surrounding soccer’s governing body.
      Lauber officially tendered his resignation on Tuesday, his office said, with his last day of active duty set for August 31.

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