ROME (ITALPRESS) – Senegal coach Pape Bouna Thiaw was handed a five-match ban for “unsporting conduct” following the incident in the Africa Cup of Nations final on January 18, which Senegal defeated hosts Morocco in extra time (a goal from midfielder Pape Gueye was the decisive goal).

The Disciplinary Committee of the Confederation of African Football has formally issued its decisions, punishing the two finalist federations and other officials and players involved after the chaos sparked by the penalty awarded to Morocco in injury time.

Senegal’s team first left the pitch before returning (Brahim Diaz then spectacularly missed the penalty with a chip that was easily saved by the opposing goalkeeper). Coach Thiaw has been suspended for five official CAF matches “for unsporting conduct in violation of the principles of fair play and integrity of the disciplinary code and for bringing the game of football into disrepute.” Thiaw has also been fined $100,000 (approximately €115 million).

Senegalese players Iliman Cheikh Baroy Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr have been suspended for two matches for “unsporting conduct towards the referee.” Two fines of $300,000 (approximately €345,000) were issued. The Senegal Football Federation (SFGF) has been fined $15,000 for the unsporting conduct of its fans, but also “of its players and coaching staff in violation of the principles of fair play, loyalty, and integrity of the CAF disciplinary code. The unsporting conduct of its players and coaching staff has also brought the game of football into disrepute.”

In addition, a fine of $15,000 was issued for the warnings of five players. As for Morocco, former Inter Milan player Achraf Hakimi, now at PSG, was given a one-match ban, plus a one-year suspension in the event of further “unsporting behavior.”

Ismaël Saibari received a three-match ban and a $100,000 fine. The Moroccan Federation was fined $200,000 “for the inappropriate behavior of the stadium ball boys during the final,” and $100,000 “for the inappropriate conduct of the players and coaching staff of their national team, who invaded the stadium’s ball area.” of VAR review and hindered the referee’s work, in violation of the principles of fair play and integrity.”

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Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ian Borg has urged Malta and other coastal states to step up coordinated efforts to enforce sanctions targeting Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet.”

Speaking at the opening of the Annual Conference of the Sanctions Monitoring Board in Valletta, Borg highlighted the growing use of vessels — largely oil tankers — to help Russia sell and transport oil and other goods despite international restrictions imposed after its invasion of Ukraine. Borg said legal, targeted measures are needed to curb sanction evasion, while ensuring respect for international maritime law and the protection of legitimate business.

He reaffirmed Malta’s role as an EU and UN member state and a major maritime jurisdiction in strengthening supervision and compliance efforts. Russia’s continued aggression against Ukraine, he said, remains a serious threat to European security and has prompted multiple rounds of EU sanctions.

Similar concerns were voiced at a public debate following the European Political Community meeting in Copenhagen, where French President Emmanuel Macron and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk called for increased pressure on Russia’s shadow fleet and stronger deterrence measures.

Borg noted that Malta has expanded monitoring of vessel histories, cargoes and ownership structures, and set up the Global Centre for Maritime Sanctions Monitoring to support coordinated international action. The Valletta conference gathered more than 250 public and private sector representatives and international experts to discuss sanctions enforcement and related challenges.

 

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Source: medNews

LISBOA (PORTUGAL) (ITALPRESS) – Real Madrid failed to qualify for the Champions League’s top eight, and Kylian Mbappé simply can’t explain it: “I don’t understand. We lack consistency in our play, it’s a problem we need to solve. We can’t be good one day and bad the next. It hurts a bit because it would have been important to have fewer matches to improve, but we deserved the position we’re in,” said the Frenchman, who scored a brace at Da Luz.

“We played terribly… We were already losing 3-2, the fourth goal didn’t change anything, but it was a bit embarrassing,” added Mbappé, who dwelt on Real Madrid’s problems. “We lack a bit of everything. I’m not saying it’s just a problem with our attitude or our play; I think it’s a general issue, and in the Champions League, every detail matters”.

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Source: medNews

RIO DE JANEIRO (BRAZIL) (ITALPRESS) – It’s still a matter of time before it’s official, but Lucas Paquetà is about to return to Flamengo. According to “Globoesporte,” an agreement has been reached with West Ham for the 28-year-old Brazilian midfielder, who returns to the Rossoneri eight years after leaving. The €42 million deal makes Paquetà the most expensive player ever in the history of the Brazilian transfer market.

The Hammers had actually accepted a €41.25 million offer, but couldn’t reach an agreement on payment terms, so Flamengo increased the offer to €42 million, giving them until 2028 to repay the debt. Paquetà is expected to arrive in the next few hours: if he’s registered by Friday, he could make his debut as early as Sunday against Corinthians in the Brazilian Super Cup.

Having grown up in Flamengo, Paquetà left in January 2019 to move to Milan, then moved to Lyon and, in 2022, arrived at West Ham.

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BASEL (SWITZERLAND) (ITALPRESS) – Stephan Lichtsteiner is the new head coach of FC Basel. The 42-year-old former Lazio, Juventus, and Swiss national team player has signed a contract until the summer of 2029 with the Swiss club, where he trained as a coach, coaching the Under-15 and Under-16 teams. In the summer of 2024, he turned professional, taking over as head coach of FC Wettswil-Bonstetten.

“We’ve known Stephan since the youth academy, where I worked directly with him for over two years,” said sporting director Daniel Stucki. “He’s very tactically prepared and has always given his teams an identity, improving them as a team. We know he’s joining us at a difficult time, with crucial matches coming up soon. And this without any real experience as a professional coach. But our main goal is to plan long-term and sustainably. Stephan is familiar with high-pressure situations from his playing days, and although he hasn’t yet coached a top-level team, we have full confidence in him for this task. He’s meticulous and a perfectionist with a clear plan. Furthermore, he has an extraordinary winning mentality, which will be a great help to us in the current situation.”

“I’m very confident in FC Basel’s long-term vision and am therefore delighted to be part of it,” said Stephan Lichtsteiner. “This move comes a little earlier than expected, but given the current situation, I immediately wanted to accept this challenge at this fantastic club. I’m confident that together we can achieve great things.”

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ZURICH (SWITZERLAND) (ITALPRESS) – FIFA, togheter Global Transfer Report website, which offers users an interactive platform to explore detailed transfer data from every association worldwide, has published its annual transfer transactions report. In 2025, 86,158 international player transfers were completed, a record in both professional and amateur football, both men’s and women’s. For the first time ever, clubs’ spending on transfer fees surpassed the $10 billion mark, setting a new record with a total of $13.11 billion, over 50% higher than the spend in 2024 and 35.6% higher than the previous record, set in 2023. In men’s professional football, English clubs confirmed their position as both the top spenders and the top earners of transfer fees, with $3.82 billion spent on incoming transfers (followed by Germany with $1.28 $ billion, Italy with $1.20 billion, France with $953.4 $ million), and Saudi Arabia with $906.9 million) and $1.77 billion received on outgoing transfers in 2025.

French clubs follow with $1.71 billion, followed by German clubs ($1.49 billion), then Italy ($1.10 billion) and Spain ($929.1 million). In terms of total transfers, Brazilian clubs led first with 1,190 incoming and 1,005 outgoing. The number of clubs investing in incoming transfers also grew, reaching a record 1,214 clubs in 2025. Similarly, the number of clubs that received a transfer fee for at least one outgoing transfer, 1,495, set a new record.

“These figures,” FIFA emphasizes, “clearly demonstrate the remarkable progress in women’s football, with an ever-increasing number of players turning professional. In 2025, approximately 2,440 international transfers of professional players were recorded, a 6.3% increase compared to 2024.” Regarding the transactions concluded in the amateur football world, 59,162 transfers were recorded in 2025 of players joining a new club abroad, a new record and 9.4% more than the previous year.

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Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta International Airport (MIA) has started work on a major expansion of its eastern wing, a project set for completion by 2028.

The development will add a new 6,000-square-metre terminal connected to the existing building, forming part of a €345 million, four-year investment programme. Once finished, the airport will be able to handle up to 2,500 departing passengers per hour.

The new departures area will include five boarding gates, one crew gate and about 1,000 square metres of circulation space. A further 1,300 square metres of circulation space will support 32 additional check-in desks, while a state-of-the-art baggage handling system will expand sorting capacity.

MIA said the project is designed to improve operational efficiency and passenger comfort, particularly during peak summer periods. CEO Alan Borg said the expansion aims to “elevate the departure experience” through upgraded facilities and smoother passenger flows.

Borg stressed the focus was not solely on increasing passenger numbers but also on improving service standards. The new terminal will incorporate Maltese architectural elements, including limestone arches, extensive natural light and sustainable design features.

Prime Minister Robert Abela inaugurated the project, describing it as a key investment in Malta’s long-term resilience and competitiveness. He said the airport plays a central role in tourism, trade and international engagement.

Abela added that the expansion aligns with the government’s Malta Vision 2050 framework, due to be launched in the coming weeks.

“This project reflects what we can achieve when public institutions and private enterprise work together,” he said, calling the airport “the first and last impression” visitors have of the country.

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Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Maltese civil rights organization Repubblika held a vigil yesterday evening in front of the US Embassy in Ta’ Qali, warning that alleged abuses related to immigration enforcement in the US risk eroding democratic norms globally.

Repubblika emphasized that practices such as mass detentions, deportations, and family separations undermine the rule of law and set dangerous international precedents. Addressing attendees, Repubblika President Vicki Ann Cremona stated that the United States is experiencing levels of state cruelty “once deemed incompatible with a liberal democracy.”

Cremona referred to reported deaths in detention and the treatment of children “considered administrative problems rather than human beings.” The vigil focused on the deaths of Renée Good and Alex Pretti, who were shot by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis.

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Source: medNews

LONDON (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – Saudi Arabia is ready for new investments and has set its sights on the latest Ballon d’Or winner. According to Sky Sports UK, after an initial phase that brought players such as Ronaldo, Mané and Benzema into the league, the federation and clubs are preparing for another big-spending summer, with Ousmane Dembélé at the top of the list of targets, for whom a blockbuster contract would be ready.

At the moment, the player’s entourage has put a stop to any negotiations, as the forward wants to focus solely on PSG and the World Cup, but the situation could change in the summer. Dembélé still has two and a half years left on his contract, but Al-Khelaifi has made it clear that from now on contract renewals must comply with the salary cap the club has imposed on itself.

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Source: medNews

LISBON (PORTUGAL) (ITALPRESS) – “For me it is a surprise when coaches with no history or proven work are given the chance to manage important teams.” These were the statements made by José Mourinho last week ahead of the match against Juventus.

On the eve of the Champions League clash between his Benfica and Real Madrid, the Portuguese coach returned to the topic, responding to those who had interpreted his words as a reference to Arbeloa and Chivu, the current coaches of Real Madrid and Inter respectively.

“Speaking about Álvaro, among the players I have coached, from a human point of view, in terms of personal relationship and empathy, he is one of my favorites,” Mourinho said about the Spaniard, before going on to talk about the current Inter coach as well:

“For Italians it was convenient to talk about Chivu and for Spaniards about Arbeloa. But both Chivu and Arbeloa are my boys. Not just former players of mine, but special former players. Arbeloa is the last person I could ever put under pressure, but you are very clever in the way you do your job. I only hope that everything goes well for Álvaro and that, as a coach, he can embark on a fantastic career.”

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Source: medNews