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    French football chief blasts Ligue 1 for not being ‘sexy’ as he reveals shock plan to change ‘farmer’s league problem’

    FRENCH football chiefs are looking to “transform” Ligue 1 because it is “not sexy”. France’s first division has previously received criticism regarding its quality with some referring to the competition as a “farmer’s league”.French football chiefs are looking to ‘transform’ Ligue because it is ‘not sexy’Credit: GettyLigue 1 have lost many stars, such as Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Lionel MessiCredit: GettyThat is why the Ligue de Football Professionnel launched a decisive step in their plan to change the public perception of French football and shed all the negativity.According to L’Equipe, the LFP president Vincent Labrune is planning a major revamp that has been in the works for two years.The president said he would be taking steps to tackle Ligue 1’s image problem, through “the transformation of the product”. Labrune added: “We have been working on this for more than two years and basing it around three strong pillars: Image, experience, and culture.”Read More on FootballThe LFP’s Chief Transformation & Innovation Officer Jerome Dumois has been placed in charge of Ligue 1’s rebrand and insists the competition needs to become more “sexy”.Global stars who mainly played for Paris Saint-Germain, like Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, have left but there is still belief the top flight could still turn into the “coolest league to follow”.Dumois said: “We might love our league, our season, our clubs, but in the end, we have this image problem: Ligue 1 is not sexy.“We need this change of image to work on our brand. This is not an advert, it is a new behaviour to instil a need for change. Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”Maybe we won’t have the best players in Ligue 1 but we can become the coolest league to follow.”Cristiano Ronaldo has been among the biggest critics as he ruffled a lot of feathers recently when he made the staggering claim that the Saudi Pro League is better than Ligue 1.Fuming Kylian Mbappe’s incredible reaction to being subbed by PSG in Marseille victoryThat led to some furious reaction, most notably from Chelsea legend Frank Leboeuf who told Al-Nassr superstar Ronaldo to “shut up”.Leboeuf suggested the Manchester United great spoke ill of the French first division because that is where his nemesis Messi used to play. More

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    Mason Greenwood handed special badge which no other player in France gets to wear

    MASON GREENWOOD was handed a special badge to wear by Ligue 1.The former Manchester United star has made a fast start to his Marseille career since joining in the summer.Mason Greenwood wore a special badge against NiceCredit: Instagram @olympiquedemarseilleHe was signed by the French club for around £30million, with the Red Devils inserting a 50 per cent sell-on clause in the deal.Greenwood has scored five goals in his first four games including a brace against Toulouse in a 3-1 victory before the international break.That feat means he was given a unique badge to wear for Marseille’s match against Nice on Saturday, which no other Ligue 1 player got to wear.Greenwood, 22, wore the top scorer badge after scoring the most goals in the previous gameweek.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe white and gold logo is called the S1 badge and was introduced at the start of the season.However Greenwood failed to mark the occasion with a goal as he drew a blank for the first time this season, with Marseille winning 2-0.And although he has started the season on fire, interim England boss Lee Carsley ruled him out of returning to the Three Lions squad.He said: “Mason wasn’t a player that we can consider to be honest, no.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”I’m aware of how he’s doing but he wasn’t under consideration.”Greenwood could switch his allegiances to Jamaica instead with the process to transfer the forward’s international registration already underway.Cristiano Ronaldo and Rio Ferdinand in hysterics as they remember Man Utd nicknames from ‘Shrek’ and ‘SatNav’ to ‘J-Lo’ More

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    Ligue 1 clash at risk of postponement due to ‘mushrooms growing on pitch’ as statement released

    NICE’S Ligue 1 match against Toulouse FC is at risk of postponement due to mushrooms growing on pitch. The owners of the Allianz Riviera were criticised the state of the pitch.Nice’s Allianz Riviera stadiumCredit: BFM TV Côte d’AzurBut Nice responded by putting it down to mushrooms growing on the pitch after it was relayed this summer. American rapper Travis Scott performed a concert in the stadium while it was also used for Olympic football matches. Nice are due to welcome Toulouse on Sunday but it is currently at risk of being postponed by the French FA who are set to make a decision.Elsewhere, the French side have extended forward Evann Guessand’s contract until 2028. READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe striker, who scored seven in 38 games last season, said: “I’m proud and honoured. “I know that people’s expectations, both of the team and of me, are getting higher and higher, but I’ll keep working like mad to be an even more key player and to help the club to perform well. “I have a deep love for OGC Nice, which I joined when I was 12, and my aim and my desire are for us to go as high as possible together.”Nice have also added Canadian defender Moise Bombito to the squad ahead of the upcoming season. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSBombito said: “It was time for me to take a new step in my career. I will be discovering both Ligue 1 and the Europa League at the same time, and I feel ready. I am very ambitious, like Le Gym. “I hope we will achieve great things this season and go far in all the competitions we will play in.”Conor Gallagher sends packed Atletico Madrid stadium wild at unveiling by speaking SPANISH after Chelsea exit More

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    Ligue 1 chaos with no broadcaster agreed for next season after Mbappe exit sparking transfer market headache

    LIGUE 1 are yet to find a broadcaster for next season following Kylian Mbappe’s departure.The French top flight lost its biggest name last week as Mbappe’s transfer to Real Madrid was confirmed.Kylian Mbappe has left Paris Saint-Germain for Real MadridCredit: AFPIt comes amid a turbulent time for France’s premier competition as they desperately search for a broadcaster.According to Sport Business, a back-up plan is being prepared that will see the league create its own channel – which would operate as a subscription service.A solution is urgently required, particularly for promoted clubs Auxerre, Angers and Saint-Etienne.As reported by RMC Sport, the trio are unable to sign players while Ligue 1’s broadcast situation remains up in the air.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThis is because there is currently no money being paid to clubs from a broadcaster – which is responsible for a huge percentage of the financial boost teams receive when they earn promotion.Mbappe has become the latest superstar name to leave French football in recent years, contributing to the decline of the league.Other household players to depart include Lionel Messi, Neymar, Aurelien Tchouameni, Victor Osimhen, Jeremy Doku, Mauro Icardi and Lucas Paqueta.PSG strolled to the league title this season, finishing nine points clear of second-place Monaco.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSLigue 1 departures over the last 10 yearsHere are some of the high-profile players to leave Ligue 1 since 2014

    Kylian Mbappe
    Lionel Messi
    Neymar
    Aurelien Tchouameni
    Victor Osimhen
    Jeremy Doku
    Mauro Icardi
    Lucas Paqueta
    James Rodriguez
    Thomas Lemar
    Anthony Martial
    Bernardo Silva
    Rafael Leao
    Ferland Mendy
    Marco Verratti
    Axel Disasi
    Youri Tielemans
    Fabinho
    Bruno Guimaraes
    Benoit Badiashile

    They have won 10 of the last 12 Ligue 1 titles – the only other champions since 2012 being Monaco in 2017 and Lille in 2021.But PSG are still yet to triumph in the Champions League – their best run coming in 2020 when Bayern Munich beat them 1-0 in the final.Kylian Mbappe’s crazy Real Madrid contractThis season they lost 2-0 to Borussia Dortmund over a two-legged semi-final in Mbappe’s final European tie for the club.He leaves as PSG’s all-time top scorer with 256 goals in 308 games.PLAY DREAM TEAM EUROS NOW!The best fantasy football game for this summer’s tournament. More

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    ‘I started drinking a lot… I was depressed’ – Aubameyang tells his side of story over Arsenal exit and Arteta fallout

    PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG has opened up on suffering from depression before he left Arsenal.The former Gunners skipper, 34, was stripped of the captaincy by Mikel Arteta in December 2021, after arriving back late from an authorised trip to France.Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has given a wide-ranging interviewCredit: YOUTUBE /Colinterview – Oh My GoalThe striker, 34, fell out of with Arsenal boss Mikel ArtetaCredit: GettyAubameyang never played for Arsenal again, going on to sign for Barcelona after having his Gunners contract terminated the following February.After a successful six-month stint with Barca he returned to the Premier League with Chelsea.But he did not earn a permanent deal at Stamford Bridge and ultimately signed for Marseille, for whom he scored 30 goals in all competitions this season.With the French campaign having concluded, the striker hopped on the Colinterview – Oh My Goal YouTube channel to discuss his career.READ MORE ON ARSENALDuring the wide ranging conversation Aubameyang opened up on the end of his time with Arsenal, admitting mental health issues caused him to “drink a lot”.Aubameyang said: “I’m sure I was depressed.”There are attitudes that are seriously different from your daily life.”For example, I started drinking a lot. It was a difficult passage. It started a little before I was fired from Arsenal.Most read in Football”So yes, it was depression, I think that personally it was related to the state of health of my parents. It affects a man, it was difficult.”How to get out? Often we say that we have to talk about it, there’s no shame in that.”Chelsea striker Aubameyang filmed taking HUGE swipe at Mikel Arteta claiming Arsenal boss ‘can’t handle big namesAubameyang signed for Barcelona in February 2022Credit: AlamyThe last of Aubameyang’s 163 appearances for Arsenal came as a late substitute in their 2-1 defeat at Everton on December 6, 2021.He subsequently went back to France on an authorised to trip to visit his unwell mother.Delving into his side of the story, Aubameyang explained that following that clash with Everton, he had received permission from Arteta to go to France to visit his mother, who had suffered from a stroke a few months earlier.On what happened next, he said: “I’m going home to Laval, normally I was supposed to leave on the free day and return in the evening rather than the morning of training.At that moment I tell myself that I’m not going to answer him because it’s going to end angrilyPierre-Emerick Aubameyang”My mother had exams to do, I couldn’t leave in the evening so I left the next morning on training day.”Once I got there, I had to take my test but in fact I should have done it the day before since I was coming from another country.”I arrive, the coach finishes his meeting and then he grabs me and he completely tears into me, he shouts at me like I’m crazy, he says: ‘You put a knife in my back. You can’t do that to me given the times we’re going through.’”At that moment I tell myself that I’m not going to answer him because it’s going to end angrily.”I didn’t go partying. He knows very well the reason for my departure so at that moment I don’t understand why he is lecturing me like this.”Aubameyang then revealed that he was told that Arteta did not want him to join up with the group, and that he would have to train on his own.Next came the bombshell that he was losing the armband, with the Arsenal boss summoning his skipper to a one-on-one meeting to reveal the news.READ MORE SUN STORIESDuring those same talks Aubameyang learned that he would no longer be working with the rest of the group at all, with his time at Arsenal effectively over.Two months later he left the club, joining Barcelona after having his contract terminated.The forward has enjoyed a resurgent season with MarseilleCredit: AFP More

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    Carlo Ancelotti’s son Davide, 34, ‘in line for first manager’s job as he’s targeted to replace in-demand English boss’

    CARLO ANCELOTTI’S son Davide is being eyed by Stade Reims, according to reports.The coach has been assistant manager at Real Madrid under the tutelage of his father since 2021.Davide Ancelotti, right, is being eyed by Stade ReimsCredit: GettyHe has helped Los Blancos win LaLiga this season and could win the Champions League for a second time this weekend.Davide attained his Uefa Pro License last year and could be set for his first ever managerial job.That’s because Stade Reims believe he could be the right man to replace Will Still, according to RMC Sport.The Ligue Un club want to hold talks with Davide after the Champions League final.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLReims also considered Le Havre boss Luka Elsner as a possible replacement for Still, who left the club earlier this month.Still dreams of managing in the Premier League and was linked with a move to Sunderland in December.Davide, 34, could be the right man to succeed the Englishman as he has plenty of experience coaching.He also worked under his dad at Bayern Munich, Everton and Napoli, where he often overlooked training sessions.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSPep Guardiola set for final Man City seasonBy Martin Blackburn
    AFTER eight glorious years of stability, Manchester City now head into an uncertain 12 months.
    And Saturday’s FA Cup final defeat to neighbours United was a reminder that this glittering and unforgettable era will not go on for ever.
    Around this time in 2025, City will be preparing for the highly-lucrative Fifa Club World Cup in the US.
    Yet in all likelihood they will also be getting ready to say their goodbyes to manager Pep Guardiola, who has brought so much success to the east side of Manchester.
    Meanwhile, there could be a verdict on 115 charges of financial irregularity which have been levelled at the club by Premier League chiefs.
    The suggestion is the hearing could start later this year but is likely to take several months to reach a conclusion.
    City continue to deny any wrongdoing and are confident they will be cleared by the independent commission.
    Read Martin Blackburn’s full column here.

    Davide has been hailed as Madrid’s “bad cop” in the past.He was credited with a plan to beat Chelsea in last season’s Champions League in which he wanted his team to use the “dark arts”.Kylian Mbappe will join ARSENAL and not Real Madrid, claims IShowSpeed as he slams Fabrizio Romano over transfer claimWill Still left Stade Reims earlier this monthCredit: Getty More

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    Shocking moment two coaches are set alight as football fans clash before French cup final attended by Emmanuel Macron

    THIS is the shocking moment two coaches are set alight as football fans clashed before a French cup final.Supporters of Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain and Lyon went on the rampage prior to their meeting at the Stade Pierre Mauroy in Lille this evening where President Emmanuel Macron is in attendance.Thick plumes of black smoke can be seen billowing into the air from the coachesCredit: TwitterA closer view shows an orange fireball as the coaches burnCredit: TwitterSupporters of PSG and Lyon clash in unsavoury scenesCredit: TwitterThick smoke surrounds the hooligans as they battle one another on their way to the French Cup finalCredit: TwitterThe violent scenes between the two sets of fans were videoed at a motorway toll booth in Fresnes-lès-Montauban, near Arras, in northern France.The incidents took place about 62 miles away from the Stade Pierre Mauroy – the venue for tonight’s Coupe de France final.One man was seen being kicked by a mob as he laid on the ground as thick black smoke poured out of a burning vehicle.Hooligans screamed “This is Paris” as one man appealed for calm through a megaphone.Read more in FootballCondemning the trouble, Mr Macron said: “These are sporting events where you must above all be joyful and sporty.”I condemn with the greatest firmness all violence.”I hope things will go as normally as possible this evening,” he added, confirming that he would still be going to the game.An Arras police spokesman confirmed that two coaches were burned out, but there were “no reports of serous injuries.”Most read in FootballThe spokesman did confirm that at least eight police officials were injured in the clashes, however.In Lille itself, there was a huge police presence as fans of the two sides arrived for the match.Moment brawl erupts between Newcastle & PSG fans in front of ‘families with kids’ before Champions League clashAlcohol in glass or metal containers was banned, while different areas were set aside for the respective fans.Earlier this season, a Lyon match against Marseille was called off after fans on a coach were pelted with stones and beer bottles, injuring Lyon coach Fabio Grosso.Grosso, a World Cup winner with Italy in 2006, sustained facial injuries that required a dozen stitches.One photo showed him with a bandage wrapped around his head, while another captured him on a stretcher with an open gash above his eye and his hand covered in blood.”We have seen just about everything you would not want to see,” French Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera said at the time.Football fans heading to Germany for Euro 2024 this summer have also been warmed about a resurgence in hooliganism that has been overwhelming the police across Europe.It comes as France prepares to roll out a massive security operation for this year’s summer Olympics, which opens in Paris in July.PSG are aiming to end the season with a domestic treble by winning the French Cup, having already won the Ligue 1 title and clinched the French Super Cup in January.READ MORE SUN STORIESTonight’s fixture is also set to mark Kylian Mbappe’s last in a PSG shirt ahead of his impending departure from the Parisian outfit this summer.The French superstar prepares to end a seven-year stay during which he helped them win the league six times.Coaches are surrounded by smoke in the alarming footageCredit: TwitterA flare set off next to one of the coachesCredit: Twitter More

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    Ex-France star who tore Man Utd apart wakes up unemployed aged 33 after release by former Champions League finalists

    WISSAM BEN YEDDER has left Monaco as a free agent.The talented forward, 33, was out of contract at the end of the season.Wissam Ben Yedder has left Monaco in search of a new clubCredit: AFPThe Frenchman celebrates at Old TraffordCredit: Mark Robinson – The SunHe held talks with the French club but both parties decided his future was elsewhere.Monaco CEO Thiago Scuro said via Get French Football News: “I had a talk with him yesterday. “It was a very good one-on-one conversation. “It was good to reflect on the season, to listen to him, to listen to his expectations for the future, and how he sees himself.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS”A player like him being free is very attractive in the market.”Monaco later confirmed 19-cap France star Ben Yedder’s exit.Scuro added: “Everyone knows Wissam’s qualities as an exceptional striker with an incredible sense of the game and of scoring goals. “What he has done on the pitch over the last five seasons will go down in the club’s history.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”We wish him all the best for the future.”Ben Yedder scored twice for Sevilla at Old Trafford to knock Manchester United out of the Champions League in 2018.Fans stunned by France manager Didier Deschamps’ ‘ruthless’ half-time team-talk – despite being 7-0 upHe scored 70 times in 138 matches for the Spaniards before moving to France.Ben Yedder racked up an impressive 118 strikes in 208 outings for Monaco and should have plenty of suitors despite his age.His exit could open the door for former Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun, 22, to establish himself with the Ligue 1 outfit next season. More