Prosecutors in Spain have dropped corruption and fraud charges against Neymar.
The Paris Saint-Germain and Brazil star was one of several people accused of the charges in a trial relating to his move from Santos to Barcelona in 2013.
Other defendants in the case included Neymar s parents, the two clubs involved in the deal, former Barcelona presidents Josep Maria Bartomeu and Sandro Rosell, along with ex-Santos president Odilio Rodrigues.
The prosecution had been seeking jail time of two years for Neymar, in addition to a fine of €10million, but withdrew all charges on Friday.
Investment firm DIS, which owned 40 per cent of the Brazilian s rights when he was still at Santos, alleged it had missed out on money from the deal as the value had been understa…
France full-back Mathieu Debuchy has been ruled out of Euro 2016 after sustaining a thigh injury in Bordeaux s 1-1 Ligue 1 draw with Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday, Ulrich Rame has confirmed
The 30-year-old completed the full 90 minutes of the encounter at the Stade Matmut-Atlantique, but complained about pain in his thigh after the match.
Debuchy underwent a series of tests and Bordeaux posted on Twitter: Bad news for Mathieu Debuchy, who has suffered a thigh injury and will be out of action for several weeks,
And Bordeaux head coach Rame later confirmed the defender will not feature at Euro 2016 for the host nation.
Unfortunately, Mathieu will not play at Euro 2016, Rame stated at a news conference.
The right-back joined Bordeaux on loan f…
Best Odds: 19/20
Bookmaker:
Two European giants who will be looking to get their Group B campaign off to a flying start on Friday night, France will welcome the Netherlands to Paris.
France
Starting with the hosts, eventually suffering real World Cup heartbreak out in Qatar over the winter, France will be desperate to prove that they aren t showing any signs of a hangover. Missing out on the chance to be crowned back-to-back world champions in the Middle East as they fell to a stunning penalties defeat at the hands of Argentina, Didier Deschamps side still gained plenty of plaudits. Rightfully still regarded to be among world football s very elite, Les Bleus should also be excited to make a return to Paris on Friday night. Opening their Euro qualifying adventur…
Adrien Rabiot s controversial strike helped to spare Juventus blushes as they beat bottom side Sampdoria 4-2 in Serie A.
The France international put his team 3-2 ahead in a tight contest at the Allianz Stadium with his second goal, despite appearing to control the ball with his arm before volleying in.
Gleison Bremer and Rabiot both scored headers to put Massimiliano Allegri’s side into a 2-0 lead, but Sampdoria responded by striking twice in as many minutes through Tommaso Augello and Filip Djuricic before half-time.
Rabiot restored the hosts advantage after the break though and despite Dusan Vlahovic s missed penalty, Juve held out for an eighth-straight home win over the Blucerchiati as substitute Matias Soule added a late fourth.
9 Since 2019/20 on…
Fabio Capello confirmed Friday that he intends to remain England manager until after the next European Championships in 2012.
The 61-year-old Italian is under contract until then with the Football Association (FA) but there had been speculation that he might opt to step down after next year s World Cup finals in South Africa.
My contract ends in 2012 and I want to respect it, Capello said. It is not only a matter for me but also the FA but in my mind the target is to respect my contract.
England have won all seven of their competitive matches under Capello so far and another victory, over Croatia on Wednesday, would clinch their place in South Africa.
…
Italy great Giorgio Chiellini believes the Azzurri have a bright future ahead of them and says critics have been overly pessimistic regarding their chances at Euro 2024.
Chiellini captained Italy as they overcame England in the final of Euro 2020, but the Azzurri have not been widely tipped to retain their crown after enduring a difficult few years.
Having missed out on the last two World Cups, Italy somewhat scraped their way through qualifying for next year s tournament in Germany, losing home and away to England and requiring a nervy 0-0 draw with Ukraine on the final matchday to avoid the playoffs.
Ahead of Luciano Spalletti s first major tournament in charge, Italy have been drawn to face Spain, Croatia and Albania in a difficult-looking group, but Chiellini…
Edwin van der Sar remains in intensive care but is communicating and “not in life-threatening danger”, his wife has said.
The former Manchester United and Netherlands goalkeeper was admitted to a hospital in Croatia last Friday after suffering bleeding around the brain.
Annemarie van der Sar said in a statement issued via Dutch club Ajax: “Edwin is still in the intensive care unit, but is stable. He is not in life-threatening danger.
Update on behalf of Annemarie van der Sar in Croatia:
‘Edwin is still in the intensive care unit, but is stable. He is not in life-threatening danger. Every time we get to visit him, he’s communicative. We have to wait patiently to see how his situation will develop.’
— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax)
“E…
Italy eased past Sweden, Spain stunned Turkey and Croatia fans disgraced themselves in a 2-2 draw with Czech Republic in another eventful, and controversial, day at Euro 2016.
As ever, we present the pick of the more seldom-seen moments of gold from the tournament in France, featuring Fernando Santos toying with the idea of writing a letter to Austria counterpart Marcel Koller and the Stade Velodrome s bid to tone up members of the press
STICK TO THE DAY JOB, ANTONIO
Italy boss Antonio Conte was a fine footballer.
He s also developed into a wonderful coach. His eye for tactical detail has helped Italy through to the knockout stages with victories against Belgium and, on Friday, Sweden.
Renown for his passion on the field, Conte has…
Best Odds: 1/1
Bookmaker:
Facing what is another stern Champions League examination on Wednesday night, Celtic will welcome Atletico Madrid to Glasgow.
Celtic
Starting with the hosts, marking their return from October’s international break with a stellar performance over the weekend, Celtic will be desperate to now find some level of European stability. Eventually breezing their way to a 4-1 romp against Hearts, Brendan Rodgers’ side are already tipped as a landsite favourite to defend their domestic crown this season. However, while the Scottish heavyweights might have come flying out of the traps since opening up the 2023/24 campaign, the former Leicester boss has come under some recent scrutiny for Celtic’s extended issues on the European stage. Last s…
Best odds: 8/13
Bookmaker:
Days after a disappointing loss to their biggest rivals, the Los Angeles Galaxy will return to Dignity Health Sports Park to face Minnesota United on Sunday.
Earlier this week, the Galaxy dropped to third place in the MLS Western Conference after a 2-1 defeat against Los Angeles FC, while the Loons were beaten 3-1 by the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Los Angeles Galaxy
Thursday s match at the Rose Bowl delivered an electric atmosphere, offering everything except the desired outcome for Galaxy supporters.
Before the game, Greg Vanney s side were level with LAFC on 40 points and had a chance to claim the top spot in the Western Conference. Instead, they now find themselves trailing both LAFC and Real Salt Lake, with both teams ha…