France Ligue 1

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

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

PRESNEL KIMPEMBE has offered an injury update after spending more than 400 days sidelined by an Achilles issue.The Paris Saint-Germain defender, 28, has not played since February 2023.Presnel Kimpembe has had to go under the knifeCredit: Instagram / @kimpembe3Kimpembe, 28, showed fans the gruesome reality of his injuryCredit: Instagram / @kimpembe3The centre-back has not played since February 2023Credit: ReutersKimpembe initially suffered the Achilles injury in October 2022.He returned three months later, but following just a trio of appearances had to undergo surgery after being stretchered off against Marseille.Amid PSG’s latest title celebrations, the centre-back posted a series of snaps to his Instagram account.They featured a number of pictures of him celebrating in full kit alongside his team-mates.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLWhile they also included an image of his heel post-surgery, laying bare to fans the gruesome reality of his injury.The popular defender captioned his post: “One more title. And a 50th for history.”A difficult season but full of personal learning. 1 more to go get it all together.”Every obstacle strengthens the resolve”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”Thank you for your continued support!”Fans couldn’t believe the picture of his heel post-surgery, with one asking: “Which body part is that??”Paul Pogba and Presnel Kimpembe watch David Beckham’s Inter Miami While a second wrote: “Christ I thought his foot had gone.”Plenty of PSG fans also offered words of support, with one commenting: “We really miss you on defence.”While a second gushed: “We love you Presko.”Alongside a heart emoji, Ethan Mbappe added: “PRESKOOOO.”Kimpembe has played 236 times for PSG, having debuted in 2014.He has enjoyed a glittering career to date, winning seven Ligue 1 titles, four Coupes de France, four Coupes de la Ligue and the Fifa World Cup in 2018.Kimpembe was involved in PSG’s title celebrationsCredit: Instagram / @kimpembe3Kimpembe played alongside Lionel Messi and Neymar last seasonCredit: EPAKimpembe won the World Cup alongside Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane DembeleCredit: Reuters More