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      Nice docked one point and forced to replay Marseille match behind closed doors after fans attacked Dimitri Payet

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      FRENCH club Nice have been docked a point and ordered to play further games behind doors after a violent brawl with Marseille.The Ligue 1 rivals faced off on August 22 in a game that was suspended after a huge clash between fans, players and staff.
      Marseille and Nice were involved in a violent brawl in last month’s gameCredit: AFP
      With 15 minutes to go in the game, Marseille winger Dimitri Payet was hit on the back of the head by a bottle launched from the home end at the Allianz Riviera.
      The 34-year-old writhed in pain on the floor before picking up the missile and launching it back into the stand.
      A number of Nice players were furious at the reaction and, within seconds, a scrap broke out among the footballers.
      It did not take long for both dugouts to get involved and a mass of fans then descended from the stands.
      The sorry episode left a number of players with injuries, including Marseille trio Matteo Guendouzi, Luan Peres and Payet.
      Nice president Jean-Pierre Rivere would later claim the away team were faking their battle scars.

      Ligue 1 officials investigated the brawl and have now docked Nice a point for the behaviour of their fans and players, with the suspension of a further point penalty in place for future misdemeanours.
      Having already played their subsequent game against Bordeaux behind closed doors, the Riviera club must also play another two home games without supporters.
      That includes the replay of the Marseille game, which Nice had led 1-0 before the original match was abandoned.
      Marseille physio Pablo Fernandez has been handed the longest ban after the incident, with his punishment lasting to June after he hospitalised a fan with a single punch amid the melee.
      Nice fans rushed the pitch to confront the Marseille playersCredit: Getty
      Police entered the pitch to break up the brawlCredit: Reuters
      Fellow Phoceens man Alvaro Gonzalez has been banned for two matches and the defender reacted with a social media post blaming the Nice fans as ‘the culprit’.
      Payet has been given a suspended one-game ban for throwing the bottle back at the crowd.
      The immediate result of Nice’s punishment is the club dropping a point below their south coast rivals into fifth place.

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      Shocking moment Marseille coach FLOORS Nice fan with one punch during crazy brawl before match is abandoned More

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      PSG ‘still hopeful Kylian Mbappe WILL sign new contract despite lure of Real Madrid free transfer move next summer’

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      PSG are still holding out hope that Kylian Mbappe will sign a new contract, it’s claimed.That’s despite the 22-year-old being widely expected to swap PSG for Real Madrid next summer when his contract with the French giants expires.
      Mbappe has withdrawn from the French squad after picking up a calf injury in the 1-1 draw against Bosnia and HerzegovinaCredit: AFP
      He was on international duty with Karim Benzema, who has revealed that Real Madrid want to sign MbappeCredit: AFP
      Mbappe has already rejected two proposals from the French club for a contract extension.
      The Athletic report that PSG are still willing to offer Mbappe both short-term and long-term contracts.
      A short-term deal would mean the Parc des Princes outfit would not lose one of the world’s hottest talents on a free transfer next summer, while a long-term deal would see him spend his best years at the club.
      PSG chiefs had previously believed that they had agreed a contract extension with Mbappe ‘on the eve of the Euros in June,’ but negotiations have since soured.
      Bosses at the club are still hopeful though that a season spent playing alongside Lionel Messi and Neymar will mean Mbappe commits his future to Les Parisiens.
      However Mbappe is still being tipped to swap Paris for Madrid come the end of the season.

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      It’s understood PSG rejected a £137m offer from Los Blancos in the summer but the Spanish giants are expected to open negotiations regarding a pre-contract agreement with Mbappe on January 1.
      And Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has confirmed the club want to sign his France team-mate.
      Speaking to Telefoot via Get French Football News, Benzema, 33, said: “It’s no secret anymore that Real want him.

      “I would have liked for him to come this year, but like I said recently, he’ll be there one day anyway.
      “We spoke [during the summer] but not about that specifically, we just kept in touch.”
      Messi is reportedly earning £1,000,000-a-week at PSG
      Rumoured offers of £145million and £154million for Mbappe this summer are also said to have been rejected.
      One PSG chief told Real ‘the line is open’ on deadline day if they could cough up £189m, but no offer materialised.
      Instead Real Madrid will attempt to lure Mbappe to the club on a pre-contract agreement, meaning the race is on for PSG to convince Mbappe to sign an extension before he accepts Los Blancos’ offer.
      Real Madrid ‘make £137m move for Kylian Mbappe’ as superstar tells PSG he wants out after Lionel Messi transfer More

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      Man Utd striker Anthony Martial rejects deadline day transfer to Lyon to stay at Old Trafford until at least January

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      ANTHONY MARTIAL reportedly rejected a deadline day move back to Lyon to fight for his place at Manchester United.The 25-year-old forward had been tipped to leave Old Trafford following the arrivals of Jadon Sancho and Cristiano Ronaldo.
      Manchester United forward Anthony Martial turned down a move back to Lyon on deadline dayCredit: Getty
      And following an underwhelming performance against Southampton last month, his future at Old Trafford looked uncertain.
      But despite his poor form, the France international is determined to fight for his place at United having passed up the opportunity to leave.
      According to L’Equipe, Martial was contacted by Ligue 1 side Lyon on Tuesday over a loan switch back to the Groupama Stadium.
      Martial came through the youth ranks at Lyon, where he went on to make four first-team appearances before joining Monaco in 2013.
      However it’s claimed the player rebuffed their approach, instead choosing to remain at the Theatre of Dreams until at least the winter transfer window.
      Supporters have been losing patience with the 2015 Golden Boy winner, who scored just four times in the Premier League last term from 22 matches.

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      And with Martial without a goal return from his three matches this campaign, he knows he will have to take his chances soon if he wishes to remain in contention to play.
      United icon Dimitar Berbatov has expressed his concern that there could be no place in the side for Martial due to Marcus Rashford, Mason Greenwood, Edinson Cavani and Ronaldo being preferred instead.
      He told Betfair: “I think Greenwood is in a good position right now, he’s the future of the team for sure and he’s someone who could definitely be given more playing time because for me he’s a natural finisher.

      “He can only get better as long as he plays and I don’t think his place is in question.
      “I actually think Martial is going to have a big question mark over his head and I’m probably more concerned about that.
      “Rashford is someone who also is born and bred in Manchester and I think he’ll be fine and Cavani also has his place and that’s why I’m curious to see how he’s going to rotate everyone.”

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      Cristiano Ronaldo poses in new Man Utd kit for first time since stunning transfer but squad number still not revealed More

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      Arsenal loanees William Saliba and Matteo Guedouzi star in big Marseille win as Gunners are battered 5-0 by Man City

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      ARSENAL loanees Matteo Guendouzi and William Saliba shone for Marseille on Saturday just after their parent club were humiliated at Manchester City.Midfielder Guendouzi opened the scoring in a 3-1 win against St Etienne as Saliba was described as a ‘joy to watch’.
      Matteo Guendouzi scored the first of Marseille’s three goals as they beat St Etienne on SaturdayCredit: AFP
      Fellow Arsenal loanee William Saliba also put in a near-perfect performanceCredit: AFP
      Guendouzi’s 23rd minute strike was his first of the season while Saliba’s stats vs St Etienne were phenomenal.
      The 20-year-old recorded 96 per cent pass accuracy, six successful dribbles from six attempted, one tackle, one interception, five clearances and eight out of 10 duels won.
      After the game, Jacek Kulig tweeted: “What a player he is. Enormous talent and a pure joy to watch.”
      Earlier in the day, across the Channel at the Etihad, Arsenal were thrashed 5-0 by Pep Guardiola’s side.
      They didn’t manage a single shot on target and the game was as good as over 12 minutes in when Ferran Torres added City’s second.
      Pint-sized Ilkay Gundogan had already peeled away from 6ft Calum Chambers – who was playing in centre-back Saliba’s position – to head City ahead.

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      And, as he has done on plenty of occasions before, hot-headed Granit Xhaka lost the plot and effectively guaranteed his side’s defeat when he was sent off for a brainless two-footed lunge on Joao Cancelo.
      Xhaka’s 35th minute red dashed any slim hopes Arsenal had of getting anything out the game and, sure enough, City went on to score three more while barley getting out of third gear.
      Gabriel Jesus and Rodri made it 4-0 before Torres bagged a second six minutes from time.
      Guendouzi was regularly criticised for his temperament at the Gunners and was shipped out on loan as a result.
      Yet Xhaka seems impervious to internal punishment despite repeated displays of ill-discipline. In fact he’s been rewarded with a contract extension.
      ‘TOO EASY’
      Marseille agreed a double loan deal for Frenchmen Saliba and Guendouzi this summer and they have both been a success at the Velodrome.
      And after watching the embarrassment at City, Arsenal legend Ian Wright was also baffled as to why Saliba is not still with the club.
      He told Premier League Productions: “You’ve got to show Mahrez down the line, Kieran Tierney lets him come inside and look how easy that is for Ferran Torres to go in there, in between the centre-backs, no-one is picking him up. Too easy.
      “I think between the goalkeepers and the central defenders it’s all too easy.
      “And I’m supposed to believe that Sead Kolasinac – someone that they’re trying to get rid of – is better than William Saliba?
      ⚽ Read our Arsenal live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from The Emirates

      “Saliba, who is out on loan and apparently not at the standard [required for this level].
      “So if he’s not at the standard to play in this team – and Kolasinac can play – why have we bought him?!
      “Because if Kolasinac can play in front of him, what’s going on?! Why have we bought him?”

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      Arteta thanks fans for their support after dire Man City thrashing More

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      Lionel Messi NO LONGER plays in top five European league as Portuguese league leapfrogs Ligue 1 in Uefa coefficients

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      LIONEL MESSI no longer plays in one of Europe’s top-five leagues after Ligue 1 was overtaken by Portugal’s Primeira Liga.The Argentine hero, 34, made the dramatic switch from LaLiga giants Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain this summer.
      Lionel Messi is no longer playing in one of Europe’s top-five leagues after France dropped below PortugalCredit: Alamy
      Messi is yet to make his Ligue 1 debut but the move has seen him drop out of the so-called big five due to the recent changes in the Uefa coefficient system.
      The points-based rankings take into consideration the results from each team in the European countries in Uefa club competitions.
      And this week’s Champions League qualifiers have tipped the balance in the favour of the Primeira Liga.
      Benfica beat PSV Eindhoven on penalties on Tuesday night which was enough for Portugal to lead France by just 0.05 coefficient points on 42.217 to 42.167.
      And then on Wednesday, Monaco lost their shootout with Shakhtar Donetsk after a 2-2 draw to further hinder Ligue 1’s ranking.
      Both Benfica and Shakhtar were in Pot 3 for Thursday’s group-stages draw.

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      According to the official Uefa website, Portugal are now fifth on 44.216 with France on 43.498.
      The points take into consideration performances across the last five seasons, from 2017-18 to the new campaign.
      England top the pile on 87.926 – helped by Champions League glory for Liverpool and Chelsea as well as final appearances for the Reds, Tottenham and Manchester City.
      In the Europa League, Chelsea beat Arsenal in the 2019 final while Manchester United were runners-up last season.
      Spain are second on 80.570 – helped largely by their duopoly of the Europa League with the Premier League.
      Italy come in third on 63.616, just pipping Germany on 61.427.
      That is despite Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich winning Europe’s elite club competition in 2020, beating PSG in the final.

      Inter Milan did reach the Europa League final in the same year.
      In the club rankings, Bayern lead the way on 116 points with Manchester City (111), Liverpool (105), Barcelona (103) and Chelsea (102) completing the top five.
      Real Madrid (98), Messi’s PSG (97), United (91), Juventus (91) and Atletico Madrid (90) are also in the top ten.
      Portuguese outfit Benfica booked their place in the Champions League group stages this weekCredit: Getty
      There was heartache for Moanco as they lost to Shakhtar Donetsk on penaltiesCredit: Getty
      PSG boss Pochettino leaves in doubt possibility of Messi debut at Brest More

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      When is transfer deadline day? Date and time for Premier League and EFL window end

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      THE transfer deadline is nearly here.And we have already seen some stunning moves around the Premier League and the rest of Europe.
      Jack Grealish’s £100million transfer to Manchester City from Aston Villa has been the biggest of the summer window so far in EnglandCredit: Getty
      This summer has seen one of the biggest transfers in history, with Lionel Messi leaving Barcelona to join Paris Saint-Germain.
      And Cristiano Ronaldo is controversially set to join Manchester City, 12 years after he departed Old Trafford for Real Madrid.
      But there is a limit to when teams can sign players and we’ve got all the info on this year’s transfer deadline day.
      When is the 2021 summer transfer deadline day?
      This year’s window shuts on Tuesday, August 31.
      Clubs have until 11pm in the UK to sign players and paperwork that has been submitted before the deadline but not completed will be accepted.
      The window opened on June 9, meaning clubs have had a massive 12 weeks to complete their signings.
      In the EFL, Championship, League One and League Two clubs all have the same deadline and timings.
      The Scottish leagues are also running to the same window.
      Do clubs in France, Germany, Italy and Spain have the same transfer window?
      Yes, the transfer window closes on August 31 around the other major European leagues.

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      The deadline times are different in each country though.
      For instance, the Bundesliga deadline time is 5pm local time.
      The windows in Germany, France, Spain and Italy all opened on June 1. More

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      Real Madrid accused of ‘illegal’ and ‘completely incorrect’ Kylian Mbappe transfer approach by PSG chief Leonardo

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      PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN chief Leonardo has slammed Real Madrid over their ‘illegal and unacceptable’ £137million bid to land Kylian Mbappe.But the French giants say they will not stand in the way of the former Monaco striker if the right offer comes in from the Bernabeu.
      Real Madrid have had an offer rejected by Paris Saint-Germain for Kylian MbappeCredit: Rex
      PSG chief Leonardo has hit out at Los Blancos over their bid for MbappeCredit: Rex
      The money put on the table for the 22-year-old is LESS than what his current club paid for him four years ago.
      And Leonardo believes it is a deliberate strategy from Madrid to land him on a free when he is out of contract in summer 2022.
      He said: “Kylian Mbappe wants to join Real Madrid and we will not hold him back. We said no to Madrid’s first offer but if our conditions are met, we’ll see.
      “We’ll allow it but on our conditions. Kylian always promised us he will not leave for free.
      “It seems like a strategy from Madrid to try to get a ‘no’ from us, to show that they have tried everything and to wait for a year to get him for free.”
      Leonardo added: “For the last two years the behaviour of Madrid has been incorrect, illegal, getting in contact with his representatives, unacceptable, completely incorrect towards us.

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      “And the proof of this strategy is to present an offer seven days before the market shuts and a year before the end of his contract. It seems like a strategy that suggests they have tried everything.
      “I’m not going to get into figures but the €160m [£137m] is less than we paid for him. But this goes further than this. It’s the way things have been done.
      “It’s disrespectful. We have done everything for Kylian to be with us and one week [from close of market] we are not going to change plans.
      “If a player wants to go, he goes, but under our conditions.”
      Real Madrid supremo Florentino Perez was asked about the bid and said: “They have already answered – and rudely.”
      If PSG do land a sizeable windfall in the next few days, it could lead them to renew their interest in Manchester United ace Paul Pogba.
      The Red Devils have a dilemma looming with the French international – who has less than 12 months on his existing deal – refusing to sign a new deal at Old Trafford.
      A possible move to the Parc des Princes ground to a halt after they swooped for Lionel Messi earlier this month.
      Messi is reportedly earning £1,000,000-a-week at PSG
      And Pogba has made an encouraging start to the season for United – turning in top stats in training despite his later return to Carrington.
      The arrival of his France international team-mate Raphael Varane from Real Madrid has also given the midfielder a lift.
      So Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be praying there is no more contact from PSG and that the 28-year-old can be persuaded to commit his future to United.

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      Real Madrid ‘make £137m move for Kylian Mbappe’ as superstar tells PSG he wants out after Lionel Messi transfer More

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      PSG confirm Kylian Mbappe wants to LEAVE and club rejected Real Madrid’s £137m transfer bid and demand £180m

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      PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN have confirmed Kylian Mbappe wants to leave the Parc des Princes.The World Cup winner’s future in the French capital has been up in the air ever since Lionel Messi’s sensational arrival earlier this month.
      France international Kylian Mbappe wants to leave Paris Saint-GermainCredit: AFP
      The World Cup winner’s future at the Parc des Princes has been up in the air since Lionel Messi’s arrivalCredit: Reuters
      Mbappe, 22, was the subject of a £137million bid from Spanish giants Real Madrid earlier this week and subsequently told the PSG brass he wants to move on to pastures new.
      The club’s sporting director Leonardo told RMC: “Kylian Mbappe wants to join Real Madrid and we will NOT hold him back. ”
      PSG have, however, rejected Real’s opening offer for the former Monaco man.
      Leonardo said: “We said NO to Madrid’s first offer, but if our conditions are met, we’ll see.”
      Mbappe’s current contract with the Ligue 1 champions is set to expire next summer.
      The Frenchman recently rejected PSG’s offer of a new bumper deal.

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      Leonardo said of the contract snub: “We made two important offers to Mbappe: one for the top players in the squad two months ago and one above these players very recently.
      “We want to prove to him that he is an important player, at the center of the project, but not above the project.”
      PSG are willing to cash in on their goal machine, but only if their £180m valuation of the player is met.
      Leonardo said of Real’s opening bid: “It seems like a strategy to try to get a NO from us, to show that they have tried everything and to wait for a year to get Mbappe for free.
      “Kylian always promised he wouldn’t leave for free.
      “Real Madrid official offer is very far from what we want for Kyilian. Yes, it’s around €160m (£137m).
      Kylian Mbappe wants to join Real Madrid and we will NOT hold him backLeonardoPSG sporting director
      “It’s less than what we paid for him in 2017
      “We have no plans to talk to Real again for Mbappe. The deadline is August 31 at midnight.
      “This is how the transfer window is: we keep him and we extend.
      “But we’re not going to let him go for less than what we paid when we still owe Monaco money.”
      Real are long-term admirers of Mbappe, who former Los Blancos chief Zinedine Zidane was eager to bring to the Bernabeu.
      And according to Leonardo, the Spaniards have been trying to secure his services for the last TWO years.
      Messi is reportedly earning £1,000,000-a-week at PSG
      He said: “We have NO plan to talk with Real Madrid again. Will Madrid raise the offer? I don’t know.
      “I only know what I said in relation to Madrid’s attitude. They have been working on Mbappe for two years, talking to everyone, the family.”
      Mbappe and his PSG team-mates will be back in action on Sunday, travelling to the Stade Auguste Delaune to take on Reims.

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      Real Madrid ‘make £137m move for Kylian Mbappe’ as superstar tells PSG he wants out after Lionel Messi transfer More