Football

Pep Guardiola has extended his contract with Manchester City, ensuring his continued reign at the helm of the Premier League giants. The Spanish manager, whose previous deal was set to expire at the end of this season, has agreed to a new contract that will keep him at the Etihad Stadium for at least another year.Guardiola's decision to extend his stay is a testament to the unprecedented success he has overseen at City since his arrival in 2016. Under his guidance, the club has established itself as the dominant force in English football, winning six Premier League titles in seven years. City has also triumphed in the Champions League, FA Cup, and League Cup multiple times under Guardiola's leadership.The Catalan coach's impact on City extends beyond trophies. He has instilled a winning mentality and a distinctive style of play that has made the team one of the most admired in the world. Guardiola's commitment to attacking football and his ability to develop young players have earned him widespread praise.Guardiola's contract extension comes at a time when City faces a slew of alleged financial breaches. The club has been charged with over 100 offenses spanning nine years, ranging from failing to provide accurate financial information to misleading UEFA about sponsorship revenue.Despite the ongoing investigation, Guardiola has expressed his confidence in City's ability to clear its name. He has stated that he welcomes the opportunity to defend the club and its reputation. A verdict in the case is not expected until next year.Guardiola's decision to stay at City is a major boost for the club, which is aiming to maintain its dominance in English football and challenge for major trophies in Europe. The Spaniard's experience, tactical acumen, and winning mentality will be invaluable assets as City navigates the challenges ahead.

Kerala is set to witness a historic sporting event as the Argentina football team, led by legendary player Lionel Messi, will visit the state for an international match in 2025. The announcement was made by Kerala Sports Minister V. Abdurahiman on Wednesday, November 20, 2024.The match will be conducted under the complete supervision of the State government, with financial assistance provided by the merchants of Kerala. The Minister expressed confidence in the state's ability to host the prestigious occasion.The Argentina football team is one of the most successful in the world, having won the FIFA World Cup twice and the Copa América 15 times. Messi, widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, has been instrumental in the team's success.The match is expected to attract a large number of football enthusiasts from across the country and beyond. It will provide a unique opportunity for Kerala to showcase its sporting infrastructure and hospitality.The State government is making elaborate arrangements to ensure the smooth conduct of the event. The match will be held at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium in Kochi, which has a capacity of over 60,000 spectators.The visit of the Argentina football team is a testament to Kerala's growing stature as a sporting destination. The state has hosted several major sporting events in recent years, including the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the FIFA U-17 World Cup.The match is also expected to have a positive impact on the state's tourism industry. It will attract a large number of visitors, who will have the opportunity to experience Kerala's rich culture and natural beauty.

San Marino, the tiny microstate nestled within Italy, has etched its name in football history by securing a remarkable promotion to the third tier of the UEFA Nations League. After trailing at halftime, the team rallied with an inspiring second-half performance to defeat Liechtenstein 3-1, marking their second-ever competitive victory.The match at the Rheinpark Stadion in Vaduz was a tale of two halves. Liechtenstein took an early lead, leaving San Marino facing an uphill battle. However, the team refused to be disheartened. Led by coach Roberto Cevoli, they regrouped and emerged from the break with renewed determination.Lorenzo Lazzari ignited the comeback with a well-taken goal, followed by a stunning strike from Alessandro Golinucci. The match-winner came from the penalty spot, as Nicola Nanni coolly converted to seal the historic victory.San Marino's players erupted in jubilation as they secured promotion to League C. Their triumph is a testament to their resilience and the progress they have made under Cevoli's guidance. Despite being ranked 210th in the FIFA men's rankings, the team has shown that anything is possible with hard work and belief."Finishing that first half 1-0 down was an insult to football, but the boys were brilliant and deserved what they've managed to achieve," said Cevoli.San Marino's promotion is a significant milestone for the nation. It marks the first time they have advanced to a higher tier in the Nations League and provides a platform for further growth and development.The team's success has also captured the hearts of fans around the world. Marco Tura, the president of the San Marino Football Federation, expressed his pride and emotion: "As people, as athletes, as men they have shown what they are worth... I cried with the boys."San Marino's historic Nations League campaign is a reminder that even the smallest of nations can achieve great things with determination and a never-say-die attitude.

Nigeria's Lookman, South Africa's Williams Nominated for African Player of the YearNigerian striker Ademola Lookman and South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams have been shortlisted for the prestigious African Player of the Year award, along with three other standout performers. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced the five nominees on Monday, with Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi, Ivory Coast winger Simon Adingra, and Guinea striker Serhou Guirassy completing the list.Lookman, who plays for Italian club Atalanta, is considered the frontrunner for the award after his impressive performance in the UEFA Europa League last season. The 25-year-old scored a hat-trick in Atalanta's 3-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen in the final, helping his team secure the title.Williams, on the other hand, has been a key figure for South Africa's national team and his club, Mamelodi Sundowns. The 30-year-old goalkeeper has been praised for his exceptional shot-stopping abilities and leadership qualities.Hakimi, who plays for Paris Saint-Germain, is another strong contender for the award. The 24-year-old defender has established himself as one of the best right-backs in the world, known for his attacking prowess and defensive solidity.Adingra, who plays for Belgian club Union Saint-Gilloise, has also impressed with his performances this season. The 21-year-old winger has scored 10 goals in 23 league appearances, helping his team to the top of the Belgian First Division A standings.Guirassy, who plays for French club Rennes, is the only striker on the shortlist besides Lookman. The 26-year-old has scored 12 goals in 25 league appearances this season, showcasing his clinical finishing and aerial ability.Surprisingly, Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, who has won the award twice before, has been omitted from the nominees. The Egyptian forward has had another stellar season with his club, scoring 23 goals in 35 Premier League appearances.The African Player of the Year award will be presented at a ceremony in the Moroccan city of Marrakesh on December 16. The event will also recognize outstanding achievements in various categories, including men's and women's football, as well as youth and coaching.

Cristiano Ronaldo's brace propelled Portugal to a resounding 5-1 victory over Poland in the UEFA Nations League on Friday, securing their place in the quarter-finals.Portugal dominated the second half, scoring four goals in the final 20 minutes. Rafael Leao opened the scoring with a powerful header, followed by a penalty from Ronaldo. Bruno Fernandes and Pedro Neto added to the tally, while Ronaldo completed his brace with an acrobatic volley.Poland had the better chances in the first half but failed to capitalize. Dominik Marczuk's brilliant save denied Ronaldo from close range, and the hosts made them pay dearly.Roberto Martinez's Portugal wrapped up the top spot in Group A1 with a game to spare, joining France, Germany, and Italy in the last eight. Poland, meanwhile, were relegated and will face a relegation playoff if they lose to Scotland next week.In the other Group A1 match, Scotland boosted their hopes of avoiding relegation with a late winner from John McGinn. Croatia, who needed a point to qualify with Portugal, were left disappointed as McGinn struck in the 86th minute.Meanwhile, European champions Spain remained unbeaten in Group A4 with a 2-1 win over Denmark in Copenhagen. Ayoze Perez and Mikel Oyarzabal scored for Spain, while Gustav Isaksen pulled one back for Denmark.In Group C2, Romania's match against Kosovo was abandoned in injury time due to chants of "Serbia" from the home fans. The game was goalless at the time of abandonment.In League D, San Marino kept their hopes of promotion alive with a 1-1 draw against Gibraltar thanks to Nicola Nanni's injury-time penalty.

Rajasthan Royals CEO's Great-Great Grandfather Invented the Penalty Kick in FootballA fascinating connection between cricket and football has emerged on social media, revealing that the great-great grandfather of Rajasthan Royals (RR) CEO Jake Lush McCrum invented the penalty kick in football.William McCrum, an Irish businessman and goalkeeper, is widely credited with introducing the concept of the penalty kick in 1890. In response to a query on Twitter, Jake Lush McCrum confirmed the veracity of this claim, stating that he had recently visited the spot where the penalty kick was first conceived.In 1890, William McCrum suggested the idea of a penalty kick to the Irish Football Association, and the first-ever penalty kick was taken under his direction. Fast forward to today, his great-great grandson Jake has become a prominent figure in another sporting phenomenon: the Indian Premier League (IPL).Jake Lush McCrum has been associated with the Rajasthan Royals since 2017 and has served as their CEO since 2021. The Royals have been making headlines ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction, having appointed former India coach Rahul Dravid as their head coach.Despite having the lowest auction purse of Rs 41 crore, RR has retained five capped players and one uncapped player. Captain Sanju Samson and opener Yashasvi Jaiswal were retained for Rs 18 crore each, while all-rounder Riyan Parag and wicket-keeper batter Dhruv Jurel were retained for Rs 14 crore each. West Indian powerhitter Shimron Hetmyer was retained for Rs 11 crore.However, RR surprisingly released franchise stalwarts Jos Buttler and Yuzvendra Chahal, as well as Ravichandran Ashwin. The Royals will enter the auction with a depleted squad but will hope to bolster their ranks with strategic acquisitions.

Deportivo Riestra, an Argentinian football club, has sparked outrage within the country's football community after fielding an influencer with no professional experience in its starting lineup for a top-flight match. The move has been widely condemned as disrespectful to the sport and its players.The influencer, known as "Spreen," is a popular streamer with millions of followers on social media. He was selected for Riestra's match against Primera Division leaders Velez Sarsfield on Monday, but was substituted off after just 78 seconds without touching the ball.Riestra's decision to field Spreen has been met with widespread criticism from football figures in Argentina. Juan Sebastian Veron, the former Manchester United and Argentina midfielder and current president of Estudiantes de La Plata, condemned the move as a "total lack of respect for football and footballers."Velez striker Braian Romero also spoke out against the decision, saying it showed a "lack of respect towards football" and sent a "bad message to society, to children, to those who try until the end" to break into the sport.Riestra captain Milton Celiz defended the decision, saying that Spreen was a friend of the club and that he should be allowed to enjoy the experience. However, he also acknowledged the criticism, saying that it was "not our responsibility (as players), it's a matter for the owners (of the club)."Riestra released a statement saying that it had informed Velez of its intention to field Spreen a week before the match. The club also stated that its objective was to attract new audiences to football and build bridges between different worlds.The Argentinian Football Association (AFA) has asked its ethics committee to investigate the incident, citing "possible conduct that could damage Argentinian football's reputation for integrity."

Former England football captain Gary Lineker is set to leave his role presenting the BBC's flagship Match of the Day highlights show at the end of the season, according to BBC News. The 63-year-old has hosted the Saturday night program since 1999.Lineker's departure comes after a series of controversies surrounding his political views. In March 2023, he was briefly taken off air after comparing the language used to launch a British government asylum policy to the rhetoric of Nazi-era Germany on social media. This sparked a row about BBC presenters expressing political opinions.In solidarity with Lineker, several fellow presenters and pundits, including Alan Shearer and Ian Wright, refused to appear on the program, resulting in an episode being reduced to 20 minutes and airing without its host, pundits, and commentary. Lineker was reinstated just over a week later.The former Leicester, Everton, Tottenham, and Barcelona forward has been an outspoken critic of government policies, particularly on immigration. He has also hosted refugees in his home.The BBC launched an independent review of its social media guidelines, which recommended that high-profile presenters should be able to express views on political issues but should stop short of campaigning on party politics or for activist organizations.Speculation about Lineker's future had been mounting since an interview with BBC Breakfast in August, in which he said he looked forward to "another year doing it, at least." Last week, Lineker admitted he would "have to slow down at some point" and hinted to Esquire magazine that he may seek to focus full-time on his successful podcast business.Lineker topped the BBC's pay list in the 2023-24 financial year, earning more than £1.35 million ($1.74 million). In August 2016, he made good on an earlier promise to present the show in his underpants after his boyhood club Leicester won the Premier League.

Manchester United's players are eagerly anticipating the arrival of new manager Ruben Amorim, who is expected to take charge of the struggling club on Monday, November 11, 2024. The Portuguese coach is highly regarded for his success with Sporting Lisbon, where he won multiple titles and transformed the club's fortunes.Casemiro, the Brazilian midfielder, expressed his excitement about working with Amorim, praising his loyalty and proven track record as a coach who has won numerous trophies. He believes that Amorim's arrival will bring a positive template for growth and learning, helping United climb the Premier League table.Amorim's first match in charge will be a trip to Ipswich on November 24, giving him limited time to implement his ideas and expected 3-4-3 formation. However, he will be able to meet with United's interim manager, Ruud van Nistelrooy, to discuss plans and strategies.Van Nistelrooy's four-match reign as United boss ended with a 3-0 Premier League victory against Leicester on Sunday, November 10, 2024. The win marked United's third victory in four matches since Erik ten Hag was sacked.Amorim's arrival has been met with optimism by United fans, who hope that his tactical acumen and ability to develop young players will revive the club's fortunes. The Portuguese coach has a reputation for playing attacking football and getting the best out of his players.However, Amorim faces a challenging task at United, who have struggled for consistency and results in recent seasons. The club has not won a major trophy since 2017 and has failed to qualify for the Champions League in the past two seasons.Amorim will need to quickly assess the squad and identify areas that need strengthening. He will also need to build a strong relationship with the players and create a positive and winning atmosphere at the club.If Amorim can replicate his success at Sporting Lisbon at United, he could be the man to lead the club back to the top of English football. However, he will need time and support from the board and the fans to achieve his goals.