France Ligue 1

Subterms

    More stories

    • 225 Shares149 Views

      in Soccer

      Sky Sports slammed for removing Champions League AND Copa America from Messi honours as Neville hails rival Ronaldo

      by

      FANS slammed Sky Sports for removing Lionel Messi’s Champions League AND Copa America honours as Gary Neville hailed Cristiano Ronaldo as the GOAT.The pundit was dragged into the age-old debate regarding the two iconic football figures.
      Sky Sports omitted two of Lionel Messi’s biggest career achievements off his honours listCredit: Sky Sports
      Lionel Messi won the Copa America with Argentina only two months agoCredit: Reuters
      But viewers hit out at the error-strewn graphic Sky displayed on their Monday Night Football coverage.
      Comparing the pair’s career achievements, it said Messi had zero international titles to his name.
      That is despite the fact the Paris Saint-Germain forward led Argentina to the Copa America crown THIS summer.
      To make matters worse, the graphic suggested Messi had three Champions League winner’s medals – clearly forgetting one of his triumphs in 2006, 2009, 2011 or 2015.
      And Messi supporters were further aggrieved to see Ronaldo was credited with two international honours – therefore counting the inaugural Uefa Nations League as a major title for Portugal.
      The Argentine’s 2008 Olympic gold medal was also omitted.
      JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)

      Gary Lineker, an ardent Messi fan, quickly pointed out the error.
      He sarcastically tweeted: “To be fair, it’s such a long time since Messi led Argentina to victory in Copa America, they’re entitled to forget it.”
      Another commented: “Ignoring Messi’s Copa America and Olympic Gold Medal and considering Nations League… Seriously.”
      A third added: “And if they’re including the nations league as a major tournament then the Olympics should be there too. Ronaldo is brilliant but Messi is quite comfortably the greatest player to play the game.”
      Neville and sparring partner Jamie Carragher were analysing Ronaldo’s two-goal return for Manchester United ahead of Everton vs Burnley.
      And the Portuguese superstar’s former team-mate said: “I just feel with the international goals records, the Champions Leagues and the variety of goals that he’s scored, it takes me to think that he is the greatest football player of all time.
      “He does make the [United] team better… he makes them more likely to win the title than three weeks ago.
      “Something inside me tells me that I don’t think he’ll quite make them the team that will make them win the title this season.”
      Carragher was having none of it though.
      He fired back: “No one is not a huge fan of Ronaldo or Messi. Ronaldo is not the greatest player of all time.

      “It doesn’t matter how a ball goes in the net… Messi’s got a better goal record than Ronaldo. He’s also a playmaker, Messi can run a game – Ronaldo can’t.
      “Ronaldo can maybe do things that Messi can’t but Messi takes you to a place where you can’t actually believe what you’re seeing.
      “Ronaldo does things other players can do… Messi does things we’ve never seen before.”

      Messi breaks down in tears celebrating Copa America win with Argentina fans after beating Pele’s record with hat-trick More

    • 250 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Chelsea and Tottenham joined by Barcelona in Franck Kessie transfer race with AC Milan ace available for FREE in summer

      by

      BARCELONA have reportedly joined Chelsea and Tottenham in the race to sign AC Milan star Franck Kessie.The Ivory Coast midfielder is one of Barca boss Ronald Koeman’s potential midfield targets alongside Leicester’s Youri Tielemans, according to Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo.
      AC Milan star Franck Kessie has been linked with a move away from the club in JanuaryCredit: Getty
      Kessie, 24, is yet to agree a contract extension with the Serie A giants and could leave the San Siro on a free transfer at the end of the season.
      Koeman is in the process of a major squad rebuild after a number of big departures including captain Lionel Messi to Paris Saint-Germain this summer and has highlighted the midfield as a key area.
      Cash-strapped Barca are also rumoured to be tracking Foxes playmaker Tielemans, 24, but Kessie would represent a cheaper option due to his contract situation.
      Spurs and Chelsea have also been linked with a swoop for Kessie in the January transfer window.
      Kessie rejected Milan’s latest contract offer of £5.5million including bonuses over five years, according to Tutto Sport.
      The Ivorian has established himself as a key player at the Rossoneri following his switch from Atalanta in 2019.

      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS

      Central midfielder Kessie had previously spent two seasons on loan at Milan had bagged 30 goals in 185 club appearances.
      He has been heavily linked with a move to one of the two London-based Premier League giants this summer.
      It was suggested Spurs would be keen to do a swap deal for Kessie with Milan involving their unsettled French midfielder Tanguy Ndombele, 24.

      Spurs are believed to have already held talks with Kessie’s agent but Chelsea are reportedly ready to match any offer on the table.
      And big-spending PSG are also said to be considering a swap deal for Kessie.
      The Ligue 1 giants are reportedly willing to exchange either Mauro Icardi or Leandro Paredes.
      Lionel Messi tipped to return to Barcelona and retire after winning Champions League with PSG by Riquelme More

    • 250 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Chelsea trail Juventus in Tchouameni transfer chase but Serie A giants fear France role will hike up Monaco star’s price

      by

      JUVENTUS are leading the race to sign Monaco’s Aurelien Tchouameni but could see his price tag go up, reports say. Chelsea have been among the clubs interested in the French midfielder, who signed for Monaco in 2020.
      Juventus are leading the race to sign Monaco’s Aurelien Tchouameni, according to reportsCredit: Rex
      But according to Tuttosport, Juve are the front runners in the pursuit for 21-year-old Tchouameni.
      He made 42 appearances last season, including 36 in the league and was even voted Ligue 1 young player of the year.
      Tchouameni’s impressive form earned him a call up to France’s first-team, debuting in a World Cup qualifier at the start of the month against Bosnia.
      He followed it up with two more appearances in games with Ukraine and then Finland.
      Tchouameni’s emergence in Didier Deschamps is said to have clubs fearing his price tag could now rocket.
      His international team-mate Paul Pogba was quick to praise his midfield partner and the maturity he has showcased.

      JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
      Manchester United’s Pogba told RTL: “Very, very good. He’s not a boy, he’s a man.
      “It’s a pleasure to play next to him. He brings a lot of energy.
      “A lot of energy, extraordinary technical and physical quality.
      “We wish him to play a lot more games and that I am always by his side.”
      Dimitar Berbatov reviews the unfair football stories of Premier League fans More

    • 263 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Marseille physio banned for NINE months for punching fan during mass brawl in Nice game as Ligue 1 come down hard

      by

      A PHYSIO has been banned for NINE months after punching a fan during a mass brawl between Marseille and Nice in August.Marseille employee Pablo Fernandez is alleged to have hospitalised a pitch invader after video footage surfaced online.
      A Marseille physio appears to punch a fan
      Chaotic scenes unfolded during the game between Nice and MarseilleCredit: AFP
      As reported by Goal, Fernandez has been suspended for the rest of the current season for appearing to punch a random fan in the chest.
      The alleged incident occurred during Marseille’s chaotic trip to Ligue 1 rivals Nice in August.
      A brawl started between Marseille players and Nice fans after ex-West Ham midfielder Dimitri Payet was struck by a fan’s bottle.
      The Marseille star launched the object back into the Nice supporters and his reaction saw dozens of thugs enter the playing surface.
      Among the chaos, a man wearing an orange bib – alleged to be Fernandez – ran towards the hooligans and decked one of them.
      The man thought to be Fernandez then ran away from the situation and it’s not clear why he lashed out on that particular fan.

      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS

      Rumours suggested the physio could be banned for YEARS for the alleged punch, which left the fan needing hospital treatment.
      It’s not clear at this stage whether Fernandez will face criminal charges or what Marseille’s internal punishment will be, if any.
      Both teams have received various punishments for the unsavoury scenes witnessed at the Stade de Nice on August 22.
      Nice have been docked a point for their role, with the suspension of a further point penalty put in place to deter future misdemeanours.
      They have also been ordered to play their next two games behind closed doors after hosting Bordeaux without fans on August 28.
      One of those games will be the replay of the Marseille clash – a match Nice were leading 1-0 until the shocking brawl unfolded.
      Two Marseille players have also received punishments, with defender Alvaro Gonzalez handed a two-game ban for provoking fans.
      And Payet has been given a suspended one-game ban for throwing the bottle back into the crowd.
      Nice fans storm the pitch to attack Marseille players during clash More

    • 225 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

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

      by

      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.

      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS

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

    • 238 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

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

      by

      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.

      BETTING SPECIAL – GET £60 IN FREE BETS ON ANY WORLD CUP QUALIFIER WITH BETFAIR
      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

    • 250 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

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

      by

      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.

      JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
      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.”

      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS

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

    • 250 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

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

      by

      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.

      BETTING SPECIAL – GET £50 IN FREE BETS WITH WILLIAM HILL
      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?”

      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS

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