Where to find Barcelona vs. Liverpool Champions League on US TV and streaming

If you’re trying to find out how you can watch Barcelona vs. Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League, you’ve come to the right place.

Turner and Univision’s coverage of the UEFA club competitions continues Wednesday with their broadcast of Barcelona vs. Liverpool. FOX Sports no longer has the rights, so if you want to watch the game on TV in English, TNT is the way to go.

Match: Barcelona vs. Liverpool

Kickoff: Wednesday, 3pm ET

Looking to watch Barcelona vs. Liverpool online from your work, home or on the go? If you live in the USA, there are several options to catch all the action.

We Recommend:

US Only.

Here are all of the details of where you can watch it on television and via legal streaming:

Who: Barcelona vs. Liverpool
What: UEFA Champions League semifinal, 1st leg
When: Game kicks off at 3pm ET / Noon PT; Wednesday, May 1, 2019
Where: Live on TNT, Univision, Univision Deportes Network, fuboTV, PlayStation Vue, Sling TV and B/R Live

With fuboTV, you can watch Barcelona vs. Liverpool and tons more UEFA Champions League games with a 7-day trial. With the legal streaming service, you can watch the game on your computer, smartphone, tablet, Roku, Apple TV or hook it up to your TV with Google Chromecast.

Now with fuboTV, you can stream Galavision, TNT, NBCSN, FS1, FS2 as well as beIN SPORTS, beIN SPORTS en Español, beIN SPORTS Connect, NBC (in select cities), CNBC, USA, FOX (in select cities), FOX Soccer Plus, FOX Deportes, FOX Sports Net, Telemundo, Univision, Univision Deportes, UniMas, Eleven Sports, CBS, CSN, RAI Italia and YES.

Plus fuboTV, the legal streaming service, also streams Serie A, La Liga, Liga MX, World Cup, Women’s World Cup, MLS, UEFA Champions League, Europa League, Primeira Liga, Ligue Un, World Cup qualifiers, Bundesliga, select USMNT games, select USWNT games, select Mexico games, select England games and Euro 2020 qualifiers.

The fuboTV app is available for Windows PC, Mac, Apple iPhone, Apple iPad, Apple TV, Android smartphones, Android tablets, Roku, Amazon Fire TV and Amazon Kindle.

 

Here are the steps to take to watch the Barcelona vs. Liverpool game with your free fuboTV trial:

1. Click on this link for the fuboTV 7-day trial.

2. Click on the red ‘Start for free’ button (see screengrab below)

3. On the login page, enter your e-mail address to sign up (or you can use your Facebook or Google logins) (see screengrab below)

4. After entering your login details and signing up for the free trial, you’ll be taken to the fuboTV main screen (see screengrab below)

5. From here, you can either scroll down the page to see the TV listings which include the Barcelona vs. Liverpool game (see screengrab below)

6. Or you can click on the ‘Guide’ button at the top to see all of the channels available to you, which will include TNT featuring Barcelona vs. Liverpool (see screengrab below)

SEE MORE: Schedule of Champions League games on US TV and streaming

from World Soccer Talk http://bit.ly/2J5yUWv

‘I made a mistake’: Pochettino takes blame but slams ‘sloppy’ Spurs

London (AFP) – Mauricio Pochettino took his share of the blame for “sloppy” Tottenham’s 1-0 Champions League semi-final first leg defeat against Ajax after admitting he used the wrong tactics.

Pochettino’s side made a dismal start as Donny van de Beek put Ajax ahead after just 15 minutes at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Tuesday.

Ajax dominated the first half until Pochettino completely changed his game-plan by switching from a 3-5-2 formation to a 4-4-2 system.

Aided by the introduction of Moussa Sissoko for the injured Jan Vertonghen, Tottenham regained a measure of control without ever hurting Ajax with their long-ball barrage.

Pochettino conceded he had blundered with his game-plan, but the Tottenham manager was also angry with the lethargic way his players started the club’s first European Cup semi-final for 57 years.

“Watching now of course I can accept it was a mistake the shape we used. But there were not too many options,” Pochettino told BT Sport.

“I am not happy. But our lack of energy from the beginning made our game difficult. We were a little sloppy.

“It was not the shape that conceded the goal. Our approach to the game was not good. I am the manager so I have responsibility.”

Tottenham were hamstrung by the absence of injured striker Harry Kane and suspended forward Son Heung-min.

But Sissoko’s dynamic contribution and the return of Son for next week’s second leg in Amsterdam give Pochettino hope they can still reach the final.

“After we conceded the goal, 25 to 30 minutes in, we started to be in the game. Moussa Sissoko provided good energy,” he said.

“Second half we pushed them and tried to create chances. It was an even game in the second half. 

“We are alive. It’s only 1-0 down. We need to believe we can go there and win the game.”

It remains to be seen whether Vertonghen will be fit for the return after the centre-back appeared to suffer a concussion in a clash with team-mate Toby Alderweireld.

Vertonghen went off for treatment, but was then surprisingly sent back onto the pitch by Tottenham’s medical staff.

He looked groggy and on the verge of throwing up before being helped down the tunnel after signalling he couldn’t continue.

Asked about the severity of Vertonghen’s problem, Pochettino only said: “I didn’t see him. Of course, we will assess him in the next few days.”

from World Soccer Talk http://bit.ly/2ZPEkdU

‘We were under par’: Eriksen admits Spurs flopped in Ajax loss

London (AFP) – Christian Eriksen admitted Tottenham were well below their best as Ajax seized the initiative with a 1-0 win in their Champions League semi-final first leg on Tuesday.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side were out-classed in the first half at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and fell behind to Donny van de Beek’s 15th minute strike.

Tottenham were slightly better in the second half, but Ajax remained the more cohesive team and could have added a second goal when David Neres hit a post in the closing stages.

Denmark playmaker Eriksen was one of many Tottenham stars who failed to shine on the night and he conceded it was far from their best display.

“We were under-par, we didn’t play our best at all. In the first 20 minutes, we were ball-watchers. We need to change it up a lot for the next game,” Eriksen told BT Sport.

“We made them look a lot better. They are a good side, but we helped them along the way. It was our fault. We were better in the second half.

“No one wanted to play the first half we did. Everyone knew we didn’t compete. We still lost, but we were better in the second half.”

Tottenham’s cause wasn’t helped by the absence of injured leading scorer Harry Kane and suspended forward Son Heung-min.

But Eriksen insisted Tottenham shouldn’t use that as an excuse.

“We can’t keep talking about injured players. In a semi-final it doesn’t matter who plays, we have to step up,” he said.

“At the start, the system didn’t matter. The change gave us a different way to press, to play more direct. But we were still far from where we know we can be.”

Only one of the 17 previous teams to lose the first leg at home in a European Cup semi-final has progressed into the final — ironically Ajax in 1995-96.

Tottenham will have Son back from his ban for the second leg and Eriksen said it could have been much worse for the side going into the decisive return in Amsterdam next week.

“We’re lucky they hit the post and hopefully we can turns things around in Amsterdam,” he added.

from World Soccer Talk http://bit.ly/2IRMrle

Bristol City hit back to keep play-off hopes alive

London (AFP) – Bristol City kept alive their slender hopes of reaching the Championship play-offs as Famara Diedhiou’s late goal sealed a 2-1 win at Millwall on Tuesday.

Lee Johnson’s side fell behind when Millwall striker Lee Gregory volleyed the 41st minute opener after being set up by Steve Morison.

Millwall could have doubled their lead when Morison and Gregory combined again and the Lions’ goalscorer was clipped by City goalkeeper Max O’Leary for a penalty.

But Shaun Williams’ spot-kick was saved by O’Leary and City equalised through Jamie Paterson in the 76th minute before Diedhiou won it five minutes later.

City are in eighth place, one point behind sixth placed Derby, who hold the last play-off berth and have a game in hand at Swansea on Wednesday.

A Derby win in south Wales would end City’s play-off bid before Johnson’s team play their last game of the season at Hull on Sunday.

from World Soccer Talk http://bit.ly/2J5mDBp

Three things we learned from Tottenham v Ajax

London (AFP) – Ajax beat Tottenham 1-0 in the Champions League semi-final first leg on Tuesday.

Here AFP Sport looks at three things we learned from the clash at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium:

Pochettino comes back down to earth

Speaking ahead of the first leg, Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino challenged his players to “set your dreams to infinity and beyond” as he looked to lead the club to their first European Cup final.

But Pochettino’s amusing decision to reference the catchphrase of Toy Story character Buzz Lightyear wasn’t the most significant of his pre-match comments.

Complaining about Tottenham having to play West Ham on Saturday while Ajax benefitted from having their domestic match postponed, Pochettino admitted his players looked “stressed and fatigued” during the 1-0 defeat against West Ham.

It was the same again against Ajax as the Dutch youngsters looked far more energetic and composed, while Tottenham were largely a damp squib in their first European Cup semi-final for 57 years.

After watching Ajax give his side the runaround in the first 25 minutes, Pochettino came to the touchline with a bewildered expression, telling his players to switch from a 3-5-2 formation to a 4-4-2 system in a bid to restore order.

But Tottenham’s plight was summed up by the sight of Jan Vertonghen covered in blood and on the verge of throwing up on the side of the pitch after the defender was forced off with what looked like a concussion following an accidental clash with team-mate Toby Alderweireld.

The introduction of Moussa Sissoko as Vertonghen’s replacement gave Tottenham more bite, but it wasn’t enough to stop the north Londoners crashing back down to earth.

Spurs lack cutting edge

With top goalscorer Harry Kane injured and South Korea forward Son Heung-min suspended, Tottenham were painfully short of quality up front.

Kane and Son were watching from the stands as Brazilian Lucas Moura started alongside Fernando Llorente in Tottenham’s attack.

But neither understudy was able to do a convincing imitation of their absent team-mates and Tottenham were fatally undermined as a result.

It didn’t help their cause that Christian Eriksen and Dele Alli, Tottenham’s two playmakers, were well below their best as well.

Trailing in the first half, Llorente, unmarked and just eight yards out, had a golden chance to equalise when he headed woefully wide.

Llorente was targeted with a flood of long balls and crosses as Pochettino tried to bludgeon Ajax into submission, but the Spaniard got little change out of Ajax’s well-marshalled defence.

from World Soccer Talk http://bit.ly/2IRxqQq

Coach hails ‘unbelievable’ Sundowns as they join Pirates at top

Johannesburg (AFP) – Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane hailed his “unbelievable” team after they won 2-1 at Black Leopards Tuesday to join Orlando Pirates at the top of the South African Premiership with two rounds left.

Mosimane was referring to the mental strength of his players after they arrived in South Africa from Morocco only on Monday and made the long journey to northeastern town Thohoyandou.

“No other club in South Africa has a schedule like ours. We had a CAF Champions League semi-final in Morocco last Friday and four days later we are in a remote area of South Africa.

“While we are constantly travelling by road and air, our opponents are often well rested, fresher and capable of running us into the ground. 

“That is why this victory over Leopards was so special. They were quicker than us, especially to the loose ball, but we managed the match superbly.

“I have so much respect for my players and am humbled to be in charge of such a wonderful bunch of dedicated professionals.”

While two club fixtures a week is common worldwide, Africa presents unique challenges because many roads are in poor condition and flying is complicated by a shortage of direct routes.

Sundowns flew via Qatar to Morocco for the Champions League first leg against Wydad Casablanca, which they lost 2-1, and the return match is this Saturday near Pretoria.

A fifth league goal this season from Uruguayan Gaston Sirino and a first from Tebogo Langerman earned defending champions Sundowns victory over brave but limited Leopards.

Lesotho international Tumelo Khutlang scored two minutes into stoppage time for the hosts, who are third from bottom and battling to avoid relegation.

Sirino punished a weakly-headed back pass from Leopards Congolese captain Jean Djunga Munganga to prod the ball past goalkeeper King Ndlovu for a 28th-minute lead.

After coming close in the opening half, Langerman scored on 68 minutes, with a smart run off the ball giving him the space and time to net via a scorching shot.

Leopards’ star striker Mwape Musonda retired injured just before the hour, taking much of the sting from the attack, and it took 92 minutes before Khutlang netted after a scramble.  

Sundowns’ victory sets the stage for a thrilling climax to the Premiership season as Pirates lead on goal difference — plus 17 to plus 13. Bidvest Wits are third, five points behind.

from World Soccer Talk http://bit.ly/2ITW3vx

Ajax defeat depleted Spurs, close in on Champions League final

London (AFP) – Ajax closed in on a first Champions League final for 23 years as Donny van de Beek’s early goal beat an injury-hit Tottenham 1-0 in the first leg of their semi-final on Tuesday.

Van de Beek’s opener on 15 minutes was just reward for the Dutch side’s first-half dominance as Tottenham badly missed the presence of the injured Harry Kane and suspended Son Heung-min.

Tottenham improved after the break despite another injury blow as Jan Vertonghen had to be helped down the tunnel after a sickening head knock, but lacked the inspiration needed to get back on level terms without their two top scorers.

And Ajax could easily have had an even greater lead to take back to the Johan Cruyff Arena for the second leg next week when David Neres hit the post 10 minutes from time.

Ajax had shown they are not fazed on the road despite the tender age of many of their squad by shocking Real Madrid and Juventus away to reach the last four and started confidently.

Spurs were happy to sit deep and wait for their chances to counter-attack, but that gameplan was undone when Hakim Ziyech’s through ball picked out midfielder Van de Beek who took his time to leave Hugo Lloris prone before slotting into the bottom corner.

Lloris kept his side in the game 10 minutes later from another Van de Beek effort as Ajax threatened to run riot.

Fernando Llorente was the hero with the decisive goal as Mauricio Pochettino’s men upset the odds to end Manchester City’s quest for a quadruple of trophies in the quarter-finals.

However, the cumbersome Spaniard struggled to provide the out ball his side needed to relieve the Ajax pressure.

Set-pieces provided Tottenham’s best chance of scoring before the break as Llorente headed wide and Toby Alderweireld over from Kieran Trippier free-kicks.

– Spurs miss Kane and Son –

On top of Kane and Son, Spurs were shorn of the injured Erik Lamela and Harry Winks and lost another key player when Vertonghen came off worst as he contested a high ball with Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana.

The Belgian was patched up and briefly returned to the field before having to be helped down the tunnel with questions sure to be asked why the Spurs medical staff allowed him to continue.

Despite that latest blow, the hosts reacted well to end the half on top with Vertonghen’s replacement Moussa Sissoko driving a long-range effort wide.

from World Soccer Talk http://bit.ly/2J6k6He

Egypt football fans outraged at African Cup ticket prices

Cairo (AFP) – The African Cup of Nations’ organising committee pledged on Tuesday to review ticket costing after a backlash from Egyptian football fans and superstar player Mohamed Salah over high prices.

Tickets for the summer tournament, which will take place in Egypt, start at 100 pounds (about $6, just over five euros) for the cheapest admission and graduate up to 500 pounds for games not involving the host nation. 

But Egypt’s games will be priced higher — at 200 pounds for the cheapest ticket, and 600 pounds for the most expensive.

Egyptian football fans quickly lashed out on social media when the pricing structure was unveiled on Monday.

Hany Abou Rida, chairman of the local organising committee and also head of the Egyptian Football Association, said Tuesday a pricing review would be “aimed primarily at general admission ticket prices for the national team games”. 

Former Tottenham Hotspur and Egyptian international  footballer Ahmed Hossam Mido said on Twitter on Monday “I’m shocked at prices for general admission tickets at the Africa Nations Cup…Has soccer suddenly become a game for the rich?” 

“Football was and always will be a game for the poor,” he added.

Living costs have soared since Egypt devalued the pound and slashed subsidies in order to receive a $12 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund in 2016.

Liverpool ace Mohamed Salah said on Twitter “don’t sit at the front or else you’ll have to pray for the national team”.

Seats at the front of stadiums are the most expensive.  

Egypt will host the Cup of Nations for the fifth time this June and July, with 24 teams participating for the first time in an expanded format.

Egyptian football fans were allowed to attend domestic league games regularly for the first time in three years only last year.

Heavy restrictions had been imposed due to repeated severe violence between fans and security forces.

But supporters must still provide their details to the security services in order to gain entry to grounds.

from World Soccer Talk http://bit.ly/2IT5pYs

Troubled PSG throw away lead again to lose at Montpellier

Paris (AFP) – Paris Saint-Germain’s end-of-season meltdown continued on Tuesday as the Ligue 1 champions twice threw away the lead in a 3-2 defeat at Montpellier, three days after dramatically losing the French Cup final.

Souleymane Camara netted Montpellier’s winner five minutes from time after Leandro Paredes was caught in possession on the edge of his own area.

Before that, Presnel Kimpembe’s own goal had cancelled out an Ambroise Oyongo own goal that had given PSG the lead. Angel Di Maria put the visitors back in front, but Andy Delort made it 2-2 before Camara sealed the points.

PSG wrapped up their sixth league title in seven seasons a week ago, but this result means they have won one and lost three of their last five league games.

“We made individual errors, too many of them, and big mistakes,” lamented coach Thomas Tuchel.

“In these conditions it is difficult to win a match at Montpellier, who are a very strong and aggressive team defensively.”

This latest defeat will increase the pressure on Tuchel, whose future has been called into question with his team’s domestic slump following their humiliating Champions League exit against Manchester United.

PSG threw away a two-goal lead in Saturday’s French Cup final before losing on penalties to Rennes. Kylian Mbappe was sent off in that game, while Neymar later apologised after hitting a fan who taunted the Brazilian as he went up to collect his runners-up medal.

Neymar started in Montpellier, but Mbappe was absent due to suspension, with several other players also absent.

“The situation is always the same. We only have 15 players because everyone is injured,” moaned Tuchel.

“This has been the situation since January, February, and it’s too long.”

When Cameroon defender Oyongo turned in Juan Bernat’s low cross early on, it looked like PSG might get back to winning ways.

However, Montpellier equalised midway through the first half as Damien Le Tallec’s header from a Florent Mollet free-kick was turned into his own net by Kimpembe, who had also scored an own goal in the Cup final.

The home side tested Gianluigi Buffon in the PSG goal on several other occasions but it was the visitors who scored again just after the hour mark.

A clearance by Montpellier’s 41-year-old captain Vitorino Hilton came back off Marquinhos and the ball fell to Di Maria, who cleverly dragged the ball away from the diving Benjamin Lecomte and finished into an empty net.

from World Soccer Talk http://bit.ly/2JdSyzN

Spurs missing Sissoko, Son and Kane for Ajax semi-final

London (AFP) – Tottenham midfielder Moussa Sissoko was only fit enough to return to the bench for the first leg of Spurs’ first Champions League semi-final since 1962 at home to Ajax on Tuesday.

Mauricio Pochettino is already without the injured Harry Kane, Erik Lamela and Harry Winks, while Son Heung-min is suspended.

However, the Argentine has insisted Spurs must grab the opportunity of a lifetime despite the draining effects of a long season on a short squad.

Pochettino’s back three of Toby Alderweireld, Davinson Sanchez and Jan Vertonghen all face their old side as does midfielder Christian Eriksen.

Without Kane and Son, Fernando Llorente leads the line with the support of Lucas Moura.

Ajax by contrast arrive in London injury free and have had a week to prepare after the entire Eredivisie calendar for last weekend was postponed to give them extra time to prepare.

Erik ten Hag makes just one change from the side that beat Juventus 2-1 in Turin to reach the last four for the first time since 1997 as Nicolas Tagliafico returns from suspension at left-back.

Tottenham (3-5-2)

Hugo Lloris (capt); Kieran Trippier, Jan Vertonghen, Toby Alderweireld, Davinson Sanchez, Danny Rose; Victor Wanyama, Christian Eriksen, Dele Alli; Lucas Moura, Fernando Llorente

Coach: Mauricio Pochettino (ARG)

Ajax (4-2-3-1)

Andre Onana; Joel Veltman, Matthijs de Ligt (capt), Daley Blind, Nicolas Tagliafico; Lasse Schoene, Frenkie de Jong; Hakim Ziyech, Donny van de Beek, David Neres; Dusan Tadic

Coach: Erik Ten Hag

Referee: Antonio Mateu Lahoz (ESP)

from World Soccer Talk http://bit.ly/2ZLVWr7

Messi’s motivation spurs on Barcelona, says Rakitic

Barcelona (AFP) – Ivan Rakitic has said Lionel Messi’s desire to win the Champions League is proving an inspiration for Barcelona ahead of their Champions League semi-final first leg against Liverpool on Wednesday. 

At the start of the season, Messi stood on his home pitch and pledged to bring “that beautiful cup back to Camp Nou” after three consecutive years of Barca crashing out in the quarter-finals. 

They will host Liverpool this week, four days after celebrating winning La Liga on Saturday, and with a Copa del Rey final to come next month against Valencia. It means a treble is in their sights. 

“Whenever our captain says something the rest of us follow,” said Rakitic at a press conference on Tuesday. 

“Leo has been a La Liga champion 10 times in 15 years and of course, after seeing him lift the cup (on Saturday) with such happiness, that motivates everyone. 

“If Leo is happy to win every title, it makes us even more eager too. We know we’re Barca, we have to give everything and following the best player in history gives us more confidence to do that.” 

A domestic double last season could not make up for failure in Europe, after a 3-0 defeat by Roma ensured Barcelona were left watching Real Madrid triumph again. 

“We want to be in the final but we have to understand the last few years weren’t the best for us,” Rakitic said. “We have to learn from that.” 

The pressure is particularly intense for Messi, whose four Champions League titles include only one in the last seven seasons and still fewer than the five of Cristiano Ronaldo. 

Asked if Messi has to win the Champions League this year, coach Ernesto Valverde said: “Nobody has to do anything. We embrace the challenge to win but there is no obligation. Every team that starts in September wants to play in games like this.” 

Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp has caused a stir by dismissing the idea his players could be intimidated at Camp Nou, which he described as “just a stadium”. 

Rakitic believes Barcelona’s home advantage is significant. “I understand he wanted to take a bit of pressure off his players, he wants them to see it as another stadium. All I can say is playing at Camp Nou is a different thing, something special and you have to respect that.” 

Valverde added: “Our fans can be decisive. We feel it, our rivals have felt it and we hope it will be the same tomorrow.” 

from World Soccer Talk http://bit.ly/2ZNc63t

Liverpool upbeat over Firmino’s fitness to face Barcelona

London (AFP) – Liverpool are increasingly confident Roberto Firmino will be fit to face Barcelona at the Camp Nou in Wednesday’s first leg of their Champions League semi-final against the La Liga giants.

The Brazil forward missed Friday’s 5-0 Premier League win over Huddersfield with a small muscle tear, but was still included in the 23-man squad selected by coach Jurgen Klopp and took part in team training on Tuesday before flying to Spain later in the day.

“We all knew from the beginning it would be a race,” Klopp told Liverpool’s website when commenting on Firmino’s fitness.

“We don’t have to make a decision today because there’s no game today, we can wait.

“It looked good so far, but I have until tomorrow to make that decision,” added the German, whose side are also battling Manchester City in a title race that looks destined to go to the wire.

Meanwhile Fabinho was passed fit after the midfielder missed the 5-0 thrashing of Huddersfield following a head injury sustained in the previous game against Cardiff.

“Every human being needs time and he needed that time, but if the Huddersfield game had been a day later he could have played,” Klopp said.

Mohamed Salah also appeared to confound rumours of an injury scare by taking a full part in Tuesday’s training session.

from World Soccer Talk http://bit.ly/2Lfn5Qg

Black referees ‘blocked’ in English football – campaigner

London (AFP) – Black referees are failing to get into the upper reaches of English football because of the way they are assessed, a campaigner said Tuesday.

Reuben Simon, an ambassador for black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) officials at Ref Support UK, said overt racism at worst and unconscious bias at best were both playing a part in blocking the progress of non-white referees.

Uriah Rennie was the last black referee in the higher reaches of the English game before retiring in 2009. 

There are no BAME referees currently working in the top four divisions, and only one in the National League.

Match assessors at all levels of English football examine the performance of referees, with their findings playing a key role in how far up the league ladder officials climb.

But Simon said a new system of assessing the assessors was needed to combat discrimination.

“It’s a myth that there’s a lack of black referees — there are loads at grassroots level but they are not progressing up the pyramid,” Simon told Britain’s Press Association.

“Why? They are being blocked. There is a ceiling for black referees and it is non-league.

“When a footballer is very good it’s obvious and it’s in the manager’s interest to pick them. So even managers with racist views have picked black footballers.

“But decisions about referees are more subjective.”

Simon said while there was “nothing wrong” with observers mainly being “white chaps of a particular age” even well-meaning officials could discriminate against black referees.

“Most try to be as fair as possible. But there is also no question there is a lot of unconscious bias in the ratings,” he added.

Simon said the Football Association, English football’s governing body, could start to rectify the problem.

“Let’s pretend that every black ref is rubbish — it’s possible, not probable — but let’s check that by sending out a ghost observer to the same games as those assessors who give black refs poor marks. And let’s do it a few times, just to make sure,” he said.

Simon’s comments will add to the debate about racism in football, with black players such as England’s Danny Rose and Raheem Sterling both lamenting what they see as a lack of significant action by football chiefs in tackling the issue.

from World Soccer Talk http://bit.ly/2JboLr4

Ex-Man Utd player O’Shea to retire at end of season

London (AFP) – Former Manchester United defender John O’Shea will retire at the end of the season, Championship club Reading announced on Tuesday.

The Republic of Ireland international won five Premier League titles at Old Trafford, as well as the FA Cup and the Champions League.

On Tuesday, his 38th birthday, O’Shea announced his retirement, having spent the final season of his playing career at Reading after a seven-year stint at Sunderland.

As well as making nearly 400 appearances for United, O’Shea also played more than 100 times for Ireland.

“A fabulous playing career is coming to a close — today, on his 38th birthday, John O’Shea has announced he is to retire at the end of the season,” tweeted Reading.

“Just a very small part of his playing days have been spent with the Royals, but he has amassed a medal collection that any player would be extremely proud of, winning almost everything possible during almost 20 years as a professional footballer.”

United tweeted out some of his highlights from his time with the club, including a last-minute winner at Liverpool.

O’Shea left Old Trafford after winning his fifth and final Premier League title in 2011, opting to move to Sunderland.

from World Soccer Talk http://bit.ly/2Wj3Xlm

West Ham join PSG, Juve on cryptocurrency platform

London (AFP) – English Premier League club West Ham United have joined Italian giants Juventus and French champions Paris Saint-Germain in bringing cryptocurrency opportunities to their fans worldwide by partnering with Malta-based Socios.com.

The move will “give fans the best experience possible, whether they live within a mile of the stadium or thousands of miles away,” said Karim Virani, digital and commercial director at the London-based club.

The blockchain company’s mobile app allows fans to vote on club matters by buying, earning or hunting for digital tokens.

“This is the first partnership between a Premier League club and Socios.com, joining the likes of European clubs Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus,” a joint statement said.

Other top European football clubs have established similar partnerships — tapping the potential of blockchain technology to deal with longstanding issues such as ticket scalping, fan engagement and the payment of players’ salaries.

The West Ham United Fan Token will be available from the start of the Premier League season in August.

Blockchains, or decentralised registry systems, have been used most prominently as the tool behind cryptocurrency Bitcoin, but many other possible uses from medical records to banking — and now sports — are emerging.

from World Soccer Talk http://bit.ly/2UP6RNl

Ex Czech defender Repka gets two-year sentence for fraud

Prague (AFP) – Former Czech footballer Tomas Repka, who played for Fiorentina and West Ham, was sentenced Tuesday to two years in prison for fraud.

An appeals court added nine months to the 15-month sentence originally handed down in February against Repka, 45, for selling a Mercedes Benz car that he had leased.

Court president Petr Benes said he saw no reason why the former football star should receive less than the minimum two-year sentence for such crimes.

The court handed down its ruling in the absence of Repka, “who had been more optimistic regarding the result,” his lawyer Jaroslav Jankrle said.

Repka sold the car in December 2016 for 1.2 million koruna (46,760 euros, $52,000).

Last year, he was sentenced to six months in prison for publishing a fake escort girl ad with the photo and phone number of his ex-wife, a sentence that was later changed to a period of work in the public interest.

In 2015 and 2016, Repka received a suspended sentence for drunk driving, and a public interest work sentence for failing to pay his ex-wife alimony.

The defender won 46 caps for the Czech national team from 1993 to 2001, but also racked up 18 red cards over the course of his career when he lost his temper on the pitch.

from World Soccer Talk http://bit.ly/2GKxVZ6

‘Big differences’: Hamsik struggling to adapt to Chinese football

Shanghai (AFP) – Marek Hamsik says that he is struggling to settle in Chinese football and admitted he has problems communicating with his Dalian Yifang team-mates.

The 31-year-old, Napoli’s all-time leading goal-scorer, left Serie A for the Chinese Super League (CSL) in February but has failed to find the net or provide an assist in six games.

Hamsik was dropped for Sunday’s 4-1 defeat at top-of-the-table Beijing Guoan and did not even make the bench.

“I am not particularly satisfied with my performances,” the Slovakian international midfielder told CCTV.

“I have always tried my best to help the team but I’ve not encountered a situation like this before.

“There are big differences between Chinese and European football, but I will try to overcome this and adapt.”

Hamsik said that he was surprised by the number of fouls in the CSL and how much playing time is lost because of that and disputes with referees.

Hamsik, who spent 12 years at Napoli including a stint as captain, said the biggest problem he faces in China is the language barrier.

“Many times I want to communicate with my team-mates, for example on pitch, but because of the language I can’t, so I can only use gestures,” he said.

Dalian have won just once in seven CSL matches and there is uncertainty about the future of Yannick Carrasco, the Belgian international winger who was an unused substitute in the weekend’s heavy defeat.

Hamsik said that “everyone (at Dalian) has room for improvement, including myself”, but he is determined to make the move to northeast China work.

“Loyalty — whether on the football field or in life — is very important so I will definitely do my best,” he added.

from World Soccer Talk http://bit.ly/2GSG7I3

Stones says Man City experience key in Premier League race

London (AFP) – John Stones says the experience in the Manchester City dressing room will be vital as they aim to finish ahead of Liverpool in the thrilling race for the Premier League title.

City will retain the Premier League crown if they win their final two games against Leicester at home and Brighton away, but with Liverpool just a point behind there is no room for error.

It is a totally different scenario from last season, when City romped to the title with five games to spare and went on to finish a record 19 points clear of nearest challengers Manchester United.    

“Last season the league was done by now,” said defender Stones. “It’s a strange situation because some of us haven’t been in this situation before.

“I think Vinny (Kompany) said that these are the times when it brings the best out of you as a player, but him as a player, David (Silva), Sergio (Aguero) and a few of the others have been in this situation before. They know what the feeling is, how to get the best out of it.

“We’ve got to be guided by those and try to take everything in. It makes everything exciting, keeps everyone on our toes.”

The England player said the tightness of the race was “making us hungrier to keep winning, keep the pressure on and keep fighting until we can’t any more. It’s exciting to be part of it”.

Stones feels winning this year’s title would be more special than last year’s success because it would make City the first team to win two in succession for a decade.

The 24-year-old said: “It’ll be special because it will be back to back, not because we’ve been pushed by Liverpool.

“I think it’s better for the football fans in general that it’s gone so late in the season and nobody has won it yet.

City have won their past 12 Premier League games and Stones realises there is still no room to ease up.

He said: “Nobody in our dressing room will take these last games lightly and say these are easy wins.

“Never underestimate any team that’s lower in the league than you are, that’s when you start to become complacent and slip up yourselves.

“I think as players we go in and attack the games as difficult, respect our opponents and try to play our game.”

from World Soccer Talk http://bit.ly/2IPa11N

Coutinho sale launched Liverpool European elite return

London (AFP) – Liverpool have grown used to seeing their prized assets snatched away by Spanish giants over the past decade, but the sale of Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona has helped lay the foundations for a successful rebuild at Anfield.

Coutinho, who has struggled to match the expectations of his £142 million ($183 million) price tag, will come up against his former team at the Camp Nou on Wednesday as Liverpool travel to Catalonia for the first leg of their Champions League semi-final on the back of a 10-game winning run.

Liverpool learned their lesson from the departures of Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano to Madrid and Barcelona that quickly dismantled the title-challenging team put together by Rafael Benitez and the devastating effect of losing Luis Suarez to Barca had five years ago.

With the Spanish champions desperate for star power when Neymar walked out to join Paris Saint-Germain in August 2017, the Reds hierarchy dug their heels in and drove the price up for the Brazilian.

Coutinho finally got his dream move in January 2018, but by that time the centrepiece to the construction that has seen Jurgen Klopp reawake the five-time European champions as a force on the continent had been put in place.

Virgil van Dijk’s £75 million move from Southampton made the Dutchman the world’s most expensive defender ever and was roundly questioned at the time.

However, his impact has been so transformational on Liverpool’s hitherto leaky backline that he became the first defender in 14 years to be crowned the Premier League players’ player of the year on Sunday.

“From the first moment I was so excited about the opportunity to work together and now you are the man,” said Klopp in his congratulatory message to his talismanic centre-back.

Coutinho’s five years at Anfield produced plenty of spectacular goals, but he did not win a trophy and Liverpool only even qualified for the Champions League twice in that time.

Van Dijk’s first five months helped nail down a top-four Premier League finish and a run to last season’s Champions League final, which ended in a 3-1 defeat to Real Madrid thanks to two huge errors from goalkeeper Loris Karius.

– Coutinho money reinvested –

More of the Coutinho money was then spent on recruiting Brazilian number one Alisson Becker from Roma, while Klopp’s midfield options were bolstered by the arrival of Fabinho, Naby Keita and Xherdan Shaqiri last summer.

from World Soccer Talk http://bit.ly/2ZLwJNK

Where to find Spurs vs. Ajax Champions League on US TV and streaming

If you’re trying to find out how you can watch Spurs vs. Ajax in the UEFA Champions League, you’ve come to the right place.

Turner and Univision’s coverage of the UEFA club competitions continues Tuesday with their broadcast of Spurs vs. Ajax. FOX Sports no longer has the rights, so if you want to watch the game on TV in English, TNT is the way to go.

Match: Spurs vs. Ajax

Kickoff: Tuesday, 3pm ET

Looking to watch Spurs vs. Ajax online from your work, home or on the go? If you live in the USA, there are several options to catch all the action.

We Recommend:

US Only.

Here are all of the details of where you can watch it on television and via legal streaming:

Who: Spurs vs. Ajax
What: UEFA Champions League semifinal, 1st leg
When: Game kicks off at 3pm ET / Noon PT; Tuesday, April 30, 2019
Where: Live on TNT, Univision, Univision Deportes Network, fuboTV, PlayStation Vue, Sling TV and B/R Live

With fuboTV, you can watch Spurs vs. Ajax and tons more UEFA Champions League games with a 7-day trial. With the legal streaming service, you can watch the game on your computer, smartphone, tablet, Roku, Apple TV or hook it up to your TV with Google Chromecast.

Now with fuboTV, you can stream Galavision, TNT, NBCSN, FS1, FS2 as well as beIN SPORTS, beIN SPORTS en Español, beIN SPORTS Connect, NBC (in select cities), CNBC, USA, FOX (in select cities), FOX Soccer Plus, FOX Deportes, FOX Sports Net, Telemundo, Univision, Univision Deportes, UniMas, Eleven Sports, CBS, CSN, RAI Italia and YES.

Plus fuboTV, the legal streaming service, also streams Serie A, La Liga, Liga MX, World Cup, Women’s World Cup, MLS, UEFA Champions League, Europa League, Primeira Liga, Ligue Un, World Cup qualifiers, Bundesliga, select USMNT games, select USWNT games, select Mexico games, select England games and Euro 2020 qualifiers.

The fuboTV app is available for Windows PC, Mac, Apple iPhone, Apple iPad, Apple TV, Android smartphones, Android tablets, Roku, Amazon Fire TV and Amazon Kindle.

 

Here are the steps to take to watch the Spurs vs. Ajax game with your free fuboTV trial:

1. Click on this link for the fuboTV 7-day trial.

2. Click on the red ‘Start for free’ button (see screengrab below)

3. On the login page, enter your e-mail address to sign up (or you can use your Facebook or Google logins) (see screengrab below)

4. After entering your login details and signing up for the free trial, you’ll be taken to the fuboTV main screen (see screengrab below)

5. From here, you can either scroll down the page to see the TV listings which include the Spurs vs. Ajax game (see screengrab below)

6. Or you can click on the ‘Guide’ button at the top to see all of the channels available to you, which will include TNT featuring Spurs vs. Ajax (see screengrab below)

SEE MORE: Schedule of Champions League games on US TV and streaming

from World Soccer Talk http://bit.ly/2ULanZ2

Liverpool’s flying full-backs ready for Barca test

London (AFP) – Neither Trent Alexander-Arnold nor Andrew Robertson have Lionel Messi’s star power, but the buccaneering Liverpool defenders could play just as vital a role as the Barcelona captain in their mouth-watering Champions League semi-final.

Virgil van Dijk has hogged the spotlight among Liverpool’s defenders with a superb campaign that earned the Dutch centre-back the Professional Footballers’ Association player of the year award.

Ahead of Wednesday’s first leg against Messi’s Barca, Robertson and Alexander-Arnold have emerged as essential contributors to Liverpool’s bid for Champions League glory. 

With 24 assists between them in all competitions, England right-back Alexander-Arnold and Scotland left-back Robertson are pivotal figures in Jurgen Klopp’s game-plan.

Robertson’s 11 assists have equalled the Premier League record for a defender and Alexander-Arnold is not far behind, with nine, making Liverpool’s full-backs are as much wingers as defenders.

It has become the most demanding, tactically significant position in the Liverpool team.

Without Robertson, 25, doing the job of two players with his lung-bursting runs up and down the flanks, Senegal winger Sadio Mane would not have the freedom to move infield, from where he has scored 24 goals this term. 

Mohamed Salah’s licence to roam from the wing is only possible because there is less need to track back defensively while Alexander-Arnold, 20, tirelessly covers every blade of grass on the right.

Klopp’s bold system has reaped rich rewards as rivals struggle to find a way to turn off the supply line fuelled by Robertson and Alexander-Arnold.

In producing perfectly weighted crosses for Mane’s double and a Van Dijk goal, Alexander-Arnold became the youngest Premier League player to create three goals in a single fixture when Liverpool thrashed Watford in February.

Then, when Robertson supplied Roberto Firmino with Liverpool’s opening goal against Tottenham recently, Alexander-Arnold matched him by crossing for Salah’s header that led to Toby Alderweireld’s decisive late own goal.

– Unlikely heroes –

They are the kind of key contributions that have become commonplace this season and Robertson admits the pair’s friendly rivalry is spurring them to ever greater heights.

“I always try and go forward. Sometimes my passes don’t find people. But I do try and create. If I get two assists, I expect Trent to get three,” Robertson said with a smile.

“We all need to chip in with goals and assists. It’s not just the front three. It’s not just the defence that keeps clean sheets, either. It’s a team game.”

from World Soccer Talk http://bit.ly/2ZLNWX6

De Roon, Pasalic fire Atalanta into fourth

Milan (AFP) – Midfielders Marten de Roon and Mario Pasalic scored late as Atalanta beat Udinese 2-0 to surge back into the top four in Serie A on Monday.

The side from Bergamo move ahead of Roma into the final Champions League spot days after booking their ticket to the Coppa Italia final on May 15 against Lazio.

The battle for elite European football next season remains tight with six teams in the running to join Juventus and Napoli in the competition next season.

Atalanta with 59 points from 34 games move one point ahead of Roma who drop to fifth with four games left of the campaign.

“We’re experiencing something remarkable, the lads are doing incredible things,” said coach Gian Piero Gasperini as his team target a place in top-tier European football for the first time. 

“It’s in our hands now.”

Inter Milan, on 62 points, are just three points ahead of Atalanta, with Roma a point behind followed by Torino and AC Milan both on 56 with Lazio still in the running in seventh on 55.

“Roma have only one point then less than us, but the others are all there too,” continued Gasperini. 

“There are twelve points and all have to win at least three games to make sure they play it, then if we win four, it’s mathematical. 

“We can all do the tables, we are all inside and no one is left out. 

“This is the extraordinary thing about this championship and it makes everything even more fascinating.”

Free-flowing Atalanta were contained by northern rivals Udinese for much of the match before Netherlands international De Roon opened the scoring from the penalty spot after 81 minutes after Sandro brought down Andrea Masiello in the box.

Croatia playmaker Pasalic added a second four minutes later for his third goal in five matches.

“We knew it would be difficult, Udinese are superior to their current ranking,” said Gasperini of the north-eastern side who are just four points above the drop zone.

Atalanta play Lazio in Serie A next Sunday in the Stadio Olimpico, ten days before returning to Rome again for the Coppa Italia final.

Their final three games will be against Genoa, champions Juventus and Sassuolo.

Sassuolo moved up to tenth on Monday with a 1-0 win over Fiorentina.

Domenico Berardi scored the only goal after 37 minutes to extend Fiorentina’s winless run to ten games, as the Tuscany side drop to 12th.

from World Soccer Talk http://bit.ly/2DBhtcI

Another chance for Barca’s old guard to leave heavier stamp on Europe

Barcelona (AFP) – It was ten years ago Alex Ferguson dubbed them the best team he had ever faced but those left from Barcelona’s iconic generation still have work to do. 

Three remain and when Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Gerard Pique line up against Liverpool on Wednesday, they may wonder if this could be their best chance of another, and perhaps final, Champions League triumph. 

Pep Guardiola’s mesmeric side had just danced around and dizzied Manchester United in 2009, their 2-0 victory completing an historic treble, when Ferguson conceded: “Nobody has given us a hiding like that.” 

But not long after the final whistle at Wembley, Ferguson expressed doubts too, about the longevity of that Barca group and then, whether they could ever be replaced. 

“Great teams go in cycles and the cycle they’re in at the moment is the best in Europe,” he said. “How long it lasts and whether they can replace that team…they have the philosophy but it’s difficult to say if you can find players like Xavi, (Andres) Iniesta and Messi all the time. Probably not.” 

Xavi and Iniesta have gone, succeeded by the all-encompassing Ivan Rakitic and, more recently, Arthur Melo, who could mature into the kind of player his predecessors would admire. 

Messi, who turns 32 in June, Busquets, who will be 31 in July, and Pique, already 32, have hung on, driving the club through fresh cycles of success. 

But in some ways perhaps, Ferguson was right. They could never sustain the Guardiola method in full, in part because pressing began to neutralise possession but mainly because that group of players was unique. 

In the Champions League, glory came again quickly in 2011, United again the victims, but from 2012 to 2018, it followed only once more, after beating Juventus in 2015. 

When Barcelona outplayed United in 2009, they had already won La Liga, the first of eight league titles in 11 years, the last of those confirmed by victory over Levante on Saturday, when Messi scored the winner.

“Our objective now is the treble,” said president Josep Bartomeu.

He knows domestic dominance has been tarnished by underachievement in Europe and, regardless of whether they win another double this term, this team’s season will be defined by them beating Liverpool, and then either Tottenham or Ajax on June 1. 

Messi, Busquets and Pique have played in 34 Champions League semi-finals matches between them and while the likelihood is there will be more to come, nothing is guaranteed. If the next takes as long to arrive as this one, Messi will be almost 36. 

from World Soccer Talk http://bit.ly/2DG1MAW

Bale ‘100 percent’ committed to Real claims agent

London (AFP) – Gareth Bale is still “100 per cent” committed to Real Madrid despite speculation over his future, the Wales star’s agent insisted on Monday.

Former Tottenham winger Bale has been linked with a return to the Premier League after a difficult season with the troubled Spanish club.

The 29-year-old has had to endure claims that he doesn’t have a strong relationship with his team-mates, while Real have suffered a woeful campaign on the pitch.

Bale played the full 90 minutes when Real suffered a shock 1-0 defeat against lowly Rayo Vallecano on Sunday, but Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane later questioned whether he was fully focused.

Bale’s agent Jonathan Barnett has responded to Zidane’s comments by telling BBC Sport Wales: “Gareth is 100 per cent committed to Real Madrid.”

Referring to his past assertion that Bale wanted to spend the rest of his career with Madrid, Barnett added: “Nothing has changed.”

Frustrated at a lack of starting opportunities for Real towards the end of last season, Bale had actually hinted he might consider leaving when he spoke to the media immediately after scoring twice in last year’s Champions League final win against Liverpool.

Bale’s Madrid contract runs until 2022, but the return of Zidane, with whom he reportedly has a difficult relationship, has revived talk of a potential move.

Despite winning four Champions League trophies and one La Liga title in Spain, Bale has come under-fire for his inconsistent performances and injury problems from Real fans.

Zidane, who is back after quitting at the end of last season, recently warned Real stars who are unhappy with their playing time should “go elsewhere and get more minutes”.

Manchester United and Tottenham are among the clubs said to be interested if Wales international Bale wants to leave the Bernabeu.

from World Soccer Talk http://bit.ly/2DF9USp

Lazio punished over ‘banana’ Bakayoko chant

Milan (AFP) – Lazio have been handed a one-match stand closure penalty which is suspended for a year due to racist chants by their fans during last week’s Italian Cup semi-final against AC Milan, the Lega Serie A announced on Monday.

AC Milan players Tiemoue Bakayoko and Franck Kessie were targeted by ‘monkey chanting’ by a section of Lazio supporters before and after the game in the San Siro.

Bakayoko was also targeted before the game with Lazio fans heard outside the stadium singing: “This banana is for Bakayoko”.

The Lega Serie A said in a statement that “90% of the 4,049 occupants, were responsible for repeated racist chants towards Milan players Franck Kessie and, in particular, Tiemoue Bakayoko”.

The forced closure of the Curva Nord (north stand) where Lazio’s hardline ultras are located in the Stadio Olimpico was suspended in case of further offences and will be open for the Italian Cup final against Atalanta on May 15.

from World Soccer Talk http://bit.ly/2Wggxlw

Spurs midfielder Winks sidelined by groin surgery

London (AFP) – Tottenham midfielder Harry Winks has had surgery on a groin injury that is likely to rule him out for the rest of the season.

Winks hasn’t played since coming off in the closing stages of Tottenham’s Champions League quarter-final first leg win against Manchester City.

The England international has featured just three times for Mauricio Pochettino’s side since February and now looks set to miss Tottenham’s remaining matches this term.

That is a blow to Pochettino, whose side face Ajax in the Champions League semi-final first leg on Tuesday.

They also sit third in the fight to finish in the Premier League’s top four with two games remaining.

“Harry Winks has today undergone groin surgery. The England midfielder will be monitored by our medical staff as he continues his recovery before commencing rehabilitation,” a Tottenham statement announced on Monday.

Winks had enjoyed a breakthrough season with Tottenham before his injury issues.

The 23-year-old had established himself as a regular in central midfield and had also featured for England.

As well as missing the conclusion of Tottenham’s campaign, Winks isn’t expected to recover in time for England’s Nations League semi-final in June.

from World Soccer Talk http://bit.ly/2Ld0WSE

Ajax to cash in as Europe’s giants target their prized assets

Amsterdam (AFP) – Clever recruitment allied with a successful youth academy has turned Ajax into a European force again as they prepare to take on Tottenham Hotspur in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final on Tuesday.

They may not be able to maintain this level of success as richer teams circle like vultures around their prized assets, but the Amsterdam club do look certain to hit the jackpot financially.

Using figures from specialist website Transfermarkt, the Ajax squad’s combined value is some 420 million euros ($469 million), significantly greater than the club’s budget.

So could we be about to see a situation similar to that of Monaco two years ago, when they won the French title and reached the Champions League semi-finals before cashing in? 

Monaco raised around 350 million euros in 2017, including the 180 million-euro deal to sell Kylian Mbappe to Paris Saint-Germain.

Ajax know what might be coming after a season in which they could still win a domestic double.

“You want to keep your best players and develop yourself but we want to develop and scout, build in our academy,” Edwin van der Sar, former Ajax goalkeeper and now club CEO, told AFP in a recent interview.

“If they get attraction from big clubs when you play well in the Champions League, we know there are bigger clubs than us.”

AFP Sport takes a look at the biggest assets in Erik ten Hag’s squad who may well be starring abroad next season:

– De Ligt: The diamond in defence –

Matthijs de Ligt is a pure product of the Ajax academy, having joined aged nine. He has gone on to become the club’s youngest ever captain aged 19 and it was he who scored the winner against Juventus in the quarter-finals.

The classy Dutch international has plenty of suitors, with the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid and PSG all linked with a move. They will need to pay in the region of 70 million euros, at least, to get their man.

Behind him, Cameroon international Andre Onana, who was at the Barcelona academy, has attracted interest from abroad too. The 23-year-old recently extended his contract until 2022, though, and it would take a big bid to persuade Ajax to sell.

Left-back Nicolas Tagliafico, an Argentine international, has been linked to Arsenal and Ajax would hope to rake in up to 25 million euros for a player they signed in January last year.

from World Soccer Talk http://bit.ly/2VFsKTO

PSG coach Tuchel hits out at Neymar after fan attack

Saint-Germain-en-Laye (France) (AFP) – Thomas Tuchel on Monday blasted Neymar for hitting a fan who insulted Paris Saint-Germain players as they filed up to collect their French Cup losers’ medals.

A 28-year-old delivery driver from Nantes had been filming the PSG players and making less than flattering comments about them when a simmering Neymar grabbed the hand that held the mobile phone and shoved it towards the fan’s face.

“I don’t like it. You can’t do that, you just can’t do that,” Tuchel said of the incident, which was caught on video by fans at the Stade de France.

Neymar lashed out on Saturday after his side threw away a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Rennes before losing the penalty shootout 6-5 after extra time.

“It’s not easy to go up the steps after a defeat. It’s very difficult for me, for everybody, but we have to accept it,” Tuchel added.

“If we lose, we have to show respect. You can’t get into a fight with a spectator.”

The blow continued a bad-tempered end to the evening for PSG. Neymar’s strike partner Kylian Mbappe was sent off for a dreadful tackle with two minutes left in extra time. 

The defeat ended PSG’s four-year reign in the French Cup and means that, while they have retained the French league title, they have won none of the cups they entered this season, with the most painful their exit at the last 16 stage of the Champions League to Manchester United.

“Did I act badly?” Neymar asked in an Instagram comment. “Yes. But no one can stay indifferent.”

Neymar is now awaiting punishment from France’s football authorities to go along with the three-match ban UEFA slapped him with on Friday for his foul-mouthed tirade following PSG’s defeat to United.

European football’s governing body sanctioned the 27-year-old after he told match officials “to go fuck yourselves” following United’s 3-1 second-leg win at the Parc des Princes, won by the Premier League side thanks to a controversial penalty awarded via the video assistant referee (VAR) system.

from World Soccer Talk http://bit.ly/2ZFphDP

Leicester’s Choudhury sorry over offensive social media posts

London (AFP) – Leicester midfielder Hamza Choudhury apologised on Monday after a series of historic offensive social media posts were re-discovered..

Choudhury, 21, responded after the Twitter messages from 2013 and 2014 were revealed over the weekend.

In June 2013, he wrote: “Why are black people so fast. Because the slow ones are in prison.”

One tweet was critical of women’s football, saying: “That has to be the worst advert sums up womens football to be honest.”

Choudhury also wrote: “Sorry but I dont feel sorry for people who self harm or commit suicide.”

Apologising for any offence caused, Choudhury said in a statement: “I’ve learned a lot as a person in my early years as a professional – certainly enough to know that some of the thoughtless comments I have made in the past are both hurtful and offensive.

“They do not represent my true beliefs. I’m deeply sorry to anyone I have offended – both at the time and since they’ve been recirculated.

“I’ve grown up a lot since then and learned a lot about life, but I accept that I have to take responsibility for the comments I have made in the past and will be a better, wiser person for it.”

A Leicester spokesman added: “Hamza’s approach to addressing the matter and the remorse he has expressed shows the maturity he has developed in the years that have passed since the comments were made.

“He now has a far greater understanding of the impact his words and behaviour can have and is committed to using that influence in the positive, respectful and accepting manner his more recent growth has demonstrated.”

The England Under-21 international made his first start under Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers on Sunday, impressing in the 3-0 win over Arsenal.

Choudhury has made 19 appearances for Leicester, including 10 this season, after emerging from the club’s youth system.

from World Soccer Talk http://bit.ly/2DBUsXi

Arsenal’s Suarez to miss rest of season

London (AFP) – Arsenal’s Denis Suarez will miss the rest of the season after suffering a groin injury, the midfielder announced on Monday.

Suarez has been limited to only six substitute appearances for Arsenal since arriving on loan from Barcelona in January.

“I want you all to know that I will not be able to play again this season,” Suarez tweeted.

“Some issues with my groin have made things tough since the game against BATE in the Europa League, now they have forced me to stop training altogether.

“After various medical consultations, the conclusion has been reached that I cannot keep on pushing it and I have started a period of treatment that cannot be done alongside competitive football.”

Suarez’s last appearance for Arsenal was in their win against Manchester United in March.

His contract with Barcelona runs until 2021, but the Gunners have an option to buy the Spaniard when his loan expires this summer.

“I’m sorry that all the effort and sacrifice that was made to come to Arsenal hasn’t come to fruition as hoped and you can’t even imagine how angry I am about it, but health comes first,” Suarez added.

“I want to give my thanks again to such a big club for trusting in me, although things haven’t gone as we pictured they would.”

Suarez joined Barcelona in 2013 from Manchester City as a teenager after making only two senior appearances for the English club.

He has previously played under Arsenal manager Unai Emery for Sevilla while on loan from Barcelona during the 2014-15 season.

from World Soccer Talk http://bit.ly/2WcpmwA