Football

Indian Super League club Punjab FC has bolstered its midfield with the signing of Argentine playmaker Norberto Ezequiel Vidal for the upcoming 2024-25 season. The 29-year-old joins the club as their fifth foreign signing, bringing a wealth of experience and creativity to the Punjab FC squad.Vidal, born in Bahia Blanca, Argentina, began his professional career with Club Olimpo in 2011. He spent eight years with the club, making 45 appearances and scoring three goals. During his time at Olimpo, he was loaned out to several clubs, including Atletico Independiente, Delfin SC, and Atletico Juventud.In 2019, Vidal joined Argentine Primera B side San Martin SJ, where he made a significant impact. He scored five goals in 37 appearances for the club, showcasing his attacking prowess. The following year, he represented Atletico Alvarado, where he continued to impress with his performances.Vidal's impressive form caught the attention of Indonesian top-flight side Persita Tangerang, who signed him in 2022. He spent two seasons with the club, scoring 17 goals in 60 appearances. His performances in Indonesia earned him a move to Punjab FC, where he is expected to play a key role in the club's midfield.Punjab FC's technical director, Nikolaos Topoliatis, expressed his excitement about the signing of Vidal. "He is an exciting player who will add more speed and creativity to our midfield," Topoliatis said. "We believe that he can make a significant contribution to our team and help us achieve our goals for the upcoming season."Vidal's arrival at Punjab FC is a significant boost to the club's ambitions. His experience, creativity, and attacking ability will be invaluable assets to the team as they look to make a strong impact in the upcoming Indian Super League season.

Kylian Mbappé's departure from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) has been marred by a financial dispute between the French striker and the club's Qatari owners, Qatar Sports Investments (QSI). Mbappé is claiming unpaid wages amounting to approximately €55 million, prompting him to file a complaint with the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA).The unpaid wages include three months of salary (April, May, and June), an "ethical bonus" for the same period, and the final installment of a €36 million signing bonus that was due in February. According to French newspaper Le Monde, PSG received an official notice from Mbappé's camp in mid-June.Mbappé's complaint was initially filed with the legal committee of the French Professional Football League (LFP), citing article 259 of France's professional football charter. The matter was subsequently referred to UEFA via the French Football Federation (FFF).The dispute has further strained the relationship between Mbappé and PSG, which ended on a sour note after the striker's seven-year stint at the club. Reports emerged of a verbal altercation between Mbappé and PSG President Nasser Al-Khelaifi.Mbappé has since joined Real Madrid, where he has made an immediate impact. He won the UEFA Super Cup in his first game and played a role in the team's 1-1 draw against Mallorca in their La Liga opener.The financial dispute between Mbappé and PSG highlights the complexities of player contracts and the potential for disputes when clubs fail to meet their obligations. It also raises questions about the financial management of PSG, which has spent heavily on player acquisitions in recent years.

Jamie Vardy, the 37-year-old striker, proved that age is just a number as he rescued a point for Leicester City in their Premier League return against Tottenham Hotspur. Vardy's second-half header canceled out Pedro Porro's early goal for Spurs, who had dominated the first half but failed to capitalize on their chances.Tottenham started the match with a flurry of attacks, but their profligacy in front of goal allowed Leicester to stay in the game. Dominic Solanke, the new signing from Bournemouth, was among those guilty of missing clear-cut opportunities. It was Porro, the Spanish defender, who finally broke the deadlock in the 29th minute, heading home James Maddison's cross.However, Leicester refused to be disheartened and came out with renewed vigor in the second half. Vardy, who has been a key figure in Leicester's success over the years, was left unmarked and headed home an equalizer in the 60th minute. The goal changed the momentum of the game, and both teams had chances to win in a thrilling last half hour.Vardy had a golden opportunity to put Leicester ahead in the 70th minute, but his shot was saved by Guglielmo Vicario. At the other end, Richarlison sent a header wide deep into injury time, with the last chance of the match.Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou expressed disappointment with his team's performance, saying, "We need to be more ruthless in front of goal. We were that dominant, we should have been well away from the opposition."Leicester manager Steve Cooper praised his team's resilience, saying, "Tottenham are a really good team, but we gave them too much respect. We started getting after them and it changed the momentum."The game was halted for eight minutes late in the second half after Tottenham midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur sustained a head injury. The Uruguayan received oxygen and was taken off on a stretcher, but Postecoglou said he was "conscious and communicating."

Juventus and Atalanta kicked off their Serie A campaigns with emphatic victories, showcasing their attacking prowess and tactical adaptability.Juventus, under the guidance of new manager Thiago Motta, cruised to a 3-0 triumph over promoted Como. Samuel Mbangula, Timothy Weah, and Andrea Cambiaso found the net for the Turin giants, who dominated the match from start to finish. Despite hitting the woodwork twice, Dusan Vlahovic was denied a goal due to an offside call.Motta's Juve displayed a more fluid and attacking style of play compared to their previous regime under Massimiliano Allegri. The team created numerous chances and controlled possession throughout the match.Meanwhile, Atalanta, despite facing transfer turmoil and injuries, made a resounding statement with a 4-0 thrashing of Lecce. New signings Marco Brescianini and Mateo Retegui made their mark, scoring two goals each. Brescianini opened the scoring with a rebound, while Retegui netted a bullet header and converted a penalty.Brescianini, a local product from Bergamo, expressed his delight at his impressive debut. Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini acknowledged the challenges posed by injuries and transfer requests but remained optimistic about building a strong team.Atalanta CEO Luca Percassi hinted at the possibility of reconciliation with Teun Koopmeiners and Ademola Lookman, who have been linked with moves away from the club.Both Juventus and Atalanta have set the tone for their respective seasons with impressive performances. Juventus will look to continue their winning ways when they face Sampdoria next, while Atalanta will aim to maintain their momentum against Monza.

Lionel Messi to Miss Argentina's World Cup Qualifiers Due to InjuryArgentina's hopes of securing a spot in the 2022 FIFA World Cup have been dealt a blow with the news that star forward Lionel Messi will miss the team's next two qualifying matches due to injury.Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni announced his 28-man squad on Monday for the matches against Chile on September 5 and Colombia five days later. Messi, who is still recovering from a right ankle injury, was not included in the squad.The 36-year-old Messi has been a key figure for Argentina in recent years, leading the team to victory in the 2021 Copa America. His absence from the squad will be a significant loss for Scaloni's side.In addition to Messi, Ángel Di María, who retired from the national team after winning the Copa America, is also not on the list.Despite the absence of Messi and Di María, Argentina remains the favorite to qualify for the World Cup. The team currently leads South American qualifying with 15 points after six matches.Argentina Squad:Goalkeepers: Walter Benítez (PSV Eindhoven), Gerónimo Rulli (Olympique Marseille), Juan Musso (Atalanta), Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa)Defenders: Gonzalo Montiel (Sevilla), Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid), Cristian Romero (Tottenham), Germán Pezzella (River Plate), Leonardo Balerdi (Olympique Marseille), Nicolás Otamendi (Benfica), Lisandro Martínez (Manchester United), Nicolás Tagliafico (Olympique Lyon), Valentín Barco (Brighton)Midfielders: Leandro Paredes (Roma), Guido Rodríguez (West Ham), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool), Enzo Fernández (Chelsea), Giovani Lo Celso (Tottenham), Ezequiel Fernández (Al Qadisiya), Rodrigo de Paul (Atletico Madrid), Nico González (Fiorentina)Forwards: Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United), Matías Soulé (Roma), Giuliano Simeone, Julián Álvarez both (Atletico Madrid), Valentín Carboni (Olympique Marseille), Lautaro Martínez (Inter Milan) and Valentín Castellanos (Lazio)

Igor Stimac, the former head coach of the Indian national football team, has filed a complaint with FIFA seeking compensation from the All India Football Federation (AIFF) for breach of contract. Stimac's contract was terminated in June 2023, and he claims that he is entitled to compensation until June 2026, as per the terms of his contract.Stimac's lawyer, Davor Radic, stated that the termination of his client's contract was without just cause and that the compensation offered by the AIFF was unacceptable. The case is likely to be referred to FIFA's Players' Status Chamber, which handles employment-related disputes between associations and coaches of international dimension.Stimac was appointed as India's head coach in May 2019 and was responsible for some notable achievements, including a 0-0 draw against Asian champions Qatar and three tournament wins at home in 2023. However, India's poor performance in the Asian Cup and World Cup qualifiers led to his dismissal.Under Stimac's contract, he was entitled to a monthly salary of $30,000 until January 2025 and $40,000 thereafter until June 2026. If AIFF is ordered to pay, the total amount could exceed ₹7.5 crore.The AIFF has not yet received any official communication from FIFA or Stimac regarding the complaint. However, acting secretary-general Satyanarayan Muthyalu stated that the federation will present its version of events to FIFA.Stimac's Croatian assistants, Luka Radman and Frano Srdarev, who had contracts until 2025, are reportedly willing to accept six months' salary from AIFF as compensation.

Thierry Henry, the legendary French striker, has decided to step down as coach of the France under-21 football team. The French Football Federation (FFF) announced the news on Monday, citing "personal reasons" for Henry's departure.Henry took over the reins of the French youth side last summer, signing a contract until June 2025. Under his guidance, the under-23 team achieved a remarkable feat by securing a silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. This marked the first time since 1984 that France had reached the final of an Olympic men's football tournament.Despite the team's success, Henry has opted to step away from his coaching role. In a statement released by the FFF, he expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to lead the French youth teams. "Winning an Olympic silver medal for my country will remain one of the proudest moments of my life," Henry said. "I'm incredibly grateful to the federation, the players, the staff, and the fans for giving me this magical experience."FFF President Philippe Diallo thanked Henry for his contributions to the French football program. "We obviously regret this decision, as Thierry Henry was able to achieve the objectives set for him by winning a silver medal at the Olympic Games in Paris," Diallo said. "His professionalism, rigor, and love for the blue jersey were evident throughout his campaign."Henry's departure leaves a void in the French coaching ranks. The FFF will now begin the search for a new coach to lead the under-21 team.

Germany's Gundogan Retires from International Football After Euro 2024German captain Ilkay Gundogan has announced his retirement from international football after leading his country at Euro 2024. The 33-year-old midfielder made the decision after careful consideration and a successful tournament where Germany reached the quarter-finals."After a few weeks of reflection, I have come to the conclusion that it is time to end my national team career," Gundogan said in a statement released by the German Football Association (DFB). "I look back with great pride on 82 international matches for my home country - a number that I could never have dreamed of when I made my debut for the senior national team in 2011."Gundogan, who turns 34 in October, was a key figure in Germany's Euro 2024 campaign. He captained the team and played a pivotal role in their run to the quarter-finals, where they narrowly lost to eventual champions Spain after extra time."My highlight was clearly the huge honor of being able to lead the team as captain at our home European Championship last summer," said Gundogan, who currently plays for Barcelona.Gundogan made his international debut for Germany against Belgium in October 2011. He was part of the squad that won the 2014 World Cup, but missed the tournament due to a back injury. He was also ruled out of Euro 2016 due to a dislocated kneecap.Despite these setbacks, Gundogan has established himself as one of Germany's most respected and successful players. He has won the Premier League title with Manchester City and the Bundesliga title with Borussia Dortmund.Gundogan's retirement marks the end of an era for Germany. He was one of the last remaining players from the team that won the World Cup in 2014. His experience and leadership will be missed by the national team.

Subroto Cup: Three Teams Disqualified for Fielding Overage PlayersThe 63rd Subroto Cup sub-junior boys international football tournament has witnessed the disqualification of three teams for fielding overage players. Nazareth Model High School (Assam), Nehru Public School (Bihar), and Ultou Government Model High School (Manipur) have been removed from the competition.The disqualification was announced by the Subroto Mukerjee Sports Education Society, which operates under the Air Force Sports Control Board. An official release stated that the teams were found to have fielded more than four players above the age limit.A Skeletal Age Estimation Test was conducted in accordance with tournament regulations and All India Football Federation (AIFF) criteria. The results of matches played by the disqualified teams on Day 1 have been declared null and void.Reports on three other teams from Mizoram, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra are pending and will be received on Tuesday. A decision on their status will be made based on those results.In the previous edition of the Subroto Cup, 16 teams were disqualified for fielding overage players. This issue has been a persistent problem in youth football tournaments, raising concerns about the integrity of the competition and the well-being of young athletes.The Subroto Cup is one of the most prestigious youth football tournaments in India, attracting teams from across the country and abroad. The tournament aims to promote football at the grassroots level and provide a platform for young players to showcase their skills.The disqualification of teams for fielding overage players highlights the importance of age verification and adherence to tournament regulations. It also serves as a reminder that the integrity of youth sports must be maintained to ensure fair play and the development of young athletes.