RIO DE JANEIRO (BRAZIL) (ITALPRESS) – Davide Ancelotti is no longer the coach of Botafogo. The Brazilian club has announced that the Italian coach, son of Brazilian Seleção coach Carlo, will not continue to lead the team. “Botafogo announces that Davide Ancelotti is no longer the head coach of the first team. Physical trainer Luca Guerra and assistants Luis Tevenet and Andrew Mangan are also leaving. The decision was made after meetings this Wednesday (17). The Club thanks Ancelotti for his professionalism and commitment during the period he led the team and was part of the Botafogo family. Botafogo wishes him success in future challenges”.

According to the Brazilian press, the Italian coach has decided not to continue his contract due to disagreements with the management, particularly, according to O Globo, over the club’s decision to fire athletic trainer Luca Guerra. Ancelotti Jr. would have continued his contract only with the confirmation of the entire coaching staff.

According to the Spanish press, to explain the split between Botafogo and Davide Ancelotti, we also need to follow the…Real Madrid lead. The newspaper “Sport” website, based on what was reported during the broadcast “El Partidazo de Cope,” reports that Carlo’s son is also among the possible candidates for the “blancos” bench in the event of Xabi Alonso’s dismissal.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – A branch of the World Health Organization is using Malta’s cancer survivorship services as a model for other European countries. Malta is the first European Union member state to establish a national Cancer Survivorship Programme, offering holistic support to patients after they complete cancer treatment.

The European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies, which operates under the WHO and is funded by the EU, has published a case study on Malta as part of a series on innovative cancer care initiatives. The study focuses on Malta’s Cancer Survivorship Team, based at the Sir Anthony Mamo Oncology Centre.

The team includes a specialist survivorship nurse and an occupational therapist who serves as cancer rehabilitation coordinator. Together, they developed three core services: Tailoring Recovery after Cancer classes, Holistic Needs Assessment clinics, and personalised one-to-one support.

Survivorship care is integrated with allied health services such as physiotherapy, psychology, dietetics, speech and language pathology, social work and dental hygiene. Additional services, including aromatherapy and sexual counselling, are provided by trained volunteers.

The Observatory said Malta’s approach shows how small health systems can deliver scalable and compassionate survivorship care through strong interdisciplinary collaboration. The programme is presented as a roadmap for other EU countries seeking to strengthen long-term cancer survivorship outcomes. Malta’s Cancer Survivorship Team was established in 2019 under the Directorate for Cancer Care Pathways, led by Dr Danika Marmarà.

– Photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta has secured a 17 per cent increase in its bluefin tuna fishing quota following negotiations in Brussels, the government announced.

The revised allocation raises Malta’s permitted catch from 434 tonnes to 507 tonnes and will apply for the next three years.

The agreement was reached during a meeting of the EU’s Agriculture and Fisheries Council (Agrifish), where Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries and Aquaculture Alicia Bugeja Said described the outcome as a “fair achievement for Maltese and Gozitan fishermen”.

Bugeja Said said the increase reflects Malta’s efforts to safeguard the sustainability of tuna stocks while supporting the livelihoods of local fishing communities.

She was accompanying Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights Anton Refalo, who also addressed the meeting.

Refalo told EU counterparts that European policies must take into account the specific realities of individual member states, particularly small island nations such as Malta.

He argued that the Common Agricultural Policy and related fisheries frameworks should be flexible enough to reflect national circumstances rather than impose uniform rules.

Bluefin tuna is among the most valuable species fished in the Mediterranean, but decades of overfishing led to strict international quotas under the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas.

In recent years, recovering stocks have allowed for cautious increases in quotas, provided countries demonstrate strong monitoring and enforcement.

The government said the higher quota will provide greater economic stability for the sector while remaining subject to sustainability controls.

Malta said it will continue to press for balanced EU policies that protect marine resources and support fishermen’s livelihoods.

– Photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

BERLIN (GERMANY) (ITALPRESS) – One striker on the way out and one on the way in. According to England’s Football Insider, Leeds, who are looking for a forward, are considering Santiago Gimenez but are unwilling to meet AC Milan’s demands, as the Italian club are reportedly asking for a fee between £25 and £30 million (€28.5–34 million) for the player. The only way to complete the deal would be on a loan basis, but the situation remains to be seen, especially as updates are awaited on the Mexican’s condition, with Gimenez set to undergo ankle surgery.

In the meantime, Milan are looking to provide Massimiliano Allegri with a physically strong centre-forward. Bild reports that the club are in talks with West Ham for Niclas Füllkrug, the 32-year-old German striker who is keen to leave the Hammers and who had previously also been linked with Roma. A preliminary agreement is said to be in place between the player and Igli Tare, but according to Bild, an agreement with West Ham has yet to be reached.

– Photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

LONDON (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – Roman Abramovich could face legal action in the United Kingdom. In 2022, the Russian oligarch pledged to donate the proceeds from the sale of Chelsea—around £2.5 billion—to the victims of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. To date, that promise has not been fulfilled, as the funds remain frozen in a UK bank account registered in Abramovich’s name.

According to the BBC, the deadlock is due to the former Blues owner’s intention to allocate the money to “all victims of the war,” including Russian citizens. However, Downing Street has warned: “If Abramovich does not act swiftly, this government is ready to go to court to enforce this commitment, if necessary.”

Prime Minister Keir Starmer, speaking in the House of Commons, said that authorization has been granted for the transfer of the £2.5 billion from Abramovich’s account provided the funds are used for humanitarian aid in Ukraine. “My message to Abramovich is clear: time is running out,” Starmer said.

The Russian oligarch has reportedly been given 90 days before the British government initiates legal proceedings.

– Photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

MIAMI (USA) (ITALPRESS) – Fresh from winning the MLS championship, Inter Miami, owned by president David Beckham, are already preparing for the upcoming season. Despite the retirements of Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, the club can rely on new signings such as Sergio Reguilón. But he is not the only one strengthening Lionel Messi’s team.

Like his Argentine friend did in October, Luis Suárez has signed a new one-year contract with Inter Miami, running until the end of the 2026 MLS season. A key goalscorer for the club since 2024, Suárez is the second-highest scorer in Inter Miami’s history with 42 goals (behind Lionel Messi with 77) and has provided 30 assists in 87 appearances.

The 38-year-old Uruguayan, formerly of Ajax, Liverpool, Barcelona and Atlético Madrid, will continue to lead his team’s attack next season as well.

– Photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

LONDON (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – In his first season, he won the Conference League and the Club World Cup, guiding the Blues back into the Champions League, and in the current campaign Chelsea sit fourth in the Premier League and have reached the EFL Cup semi-finals. Yet Enzo Maresca’s post-Everton outburst (“the last 48 hours have been the worst since I’ve been here because many people did not support either me or the team”) has not been fully put to rest.

The future of the Italian coach at Stamford Bridge remains uncertain: on the one hand, the club’s hierarchy were unhappy with his remarks, while on the other Maresca himself could decide to step aside. That is why the Blues are said to be sounding out alternatives in the event of a split. According to Football Insider, one of the main options in the event of a managerial change would be Xavi, who has been without a club since May 2024 following the end of his spell at Barcelona and who reportedly turned down Spartak Moscow last month in the hope of a call from the Premier League.

– Photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

SLIEMA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Running Europe Tour 2026 was officially unveiled in Malta on Tuesday, marking the launch of a new international road running circuit that will span five countries, five major events and nearly eight months of competition across Europe.

Designed to merge elite sport with tourism and cultural promotion, the inaugural edition of the tour is expected to attract around 30,000 athletes. The circuit will run from 22 February to 18 October 2026, taking participants through Malta, Greece, Italy, Poland and Sicily in what organisers describe as a “borderless European sporting journey.”

The tour will open on Sunday, 22 February, with the 41st LifeStar Malta Marathon, a flagship event featuring the marathon, half marathon and 5-kilometre races. Long regarded as a key winter destination for international runners, Malta will once again serve as the starting point for a global road running season.

The second leg moves to Greece on 5 April with the Kallithea Run in Athens. The event will include 10 km, 5 km and 2.5 km races, with both the start and finish located in Davaki Square, at the heart of the Kallithea district, offering a fast, urban course set against the backdrop of the Greek capital.

Italy will host the third stage on Saturday, 16 May, with Corriamo verso Montecassino. Scheduled to start at 5:00 pm, the FIDAL-certified 10 km race combines 1.5 km of flat running with an 8.5 km uphill climb, culminating in front of the historic Abbey of Montecassino, one of Italy’s most iconic landmarks.

The tour’s fourth stop will be in Poland, where the Running Europe Tour arrives in Warsaw on Saturday, 3 October. The Biegnij Warszawo 10 km race, starting at noon in the city centre, is one of the country’s most established and well-attended running events, drawing thousands of participants each year.

The circuit will conclude in Sicily on Sunday, 18 October, with the 13th Palermo International Half Marathon. The final event will feature a half marathon, 10 km and 5 km races, finishing along the Mondello beachfront, providing a scenic Mediterranean setting for the tour’s grand finale.

Beyond competition, the Running Europe Tour introduces a recognition system aimed at rewarding consistency and participation. Athletes who complete at least three of the five events will be honoured during the Palermo race. Participants finishing three races will receive the Gold award, four races the Platinum award, and those completing all five events will earn the Diamond Running Europe Tour award.

“The Running Europe Tour aims to become a benchmark format on the European scene,” the organisers said. “It connects major events, territories and running communities, using sport as a universal language and a powerful tool for dialogue among peoples.”

With its mix of elite-level racing, mass participation and cultural destinations, the Running Europe Tour 2026 positions itself as a new chapter in Europe’s road running landscape, uniting athletes across borders through a shared passion for the sport.

LifeStar Malta Marathon eyes records and global spotlight in 2026

With more than 4,000 runners already registered and projections exceeding 6,000 participants by race day, the Malta Marathon is on course to break its all-time participation record. Organisers anticipate over 3,500 international runners, particularly from the United Kingdom, Poland and Ireland, underlining the event’s growing stature as one of Europe’s leading road races and a significant driver of sports tourism.

The marathon will start from Mdina at 6:45am with a five-hour time limit, followed by the Half Marathon and the “Endo” Walkathon at 8:15am. The 5K Charity Run & Walk will begin in Sliema at 7:10am, while the programme will conclude with the Kids 1.5K Race at 8:20am in the finish area.

Beyond record participation, organisers highlighted their ambition to elevate the competitive level of the event. Elite international athletes are being targeted with the explicit goal of challenging and potentially breaking existing course records.

“The growth of the Malta Marathon is not only about numbers,” said race director Joe Micallef. “Our goal is to raise the competitive level year after year. For the 41st edition we are targeting elite athletes who can genuinely challenge the course records, taking advantage of a route and climate that are ideal for fast racing.”

LifeStar president Paolo Catalfamo, representing the event’s main sponsor, said the marathon has become a strong platform linking sport, health and tourism. “Investing in quality and elite performance is key to further enhancing the race’s prestige and its impact on Malta,” he said.

Event manager Nando Sorbello, who leads elite athlete recruitment, reinforced the technical vision behind the 2026 edition. “Our focus is on bringing athletes of absolute international value to the start line,” he said. “The objective is clear: to raise the overall competitive standard of the Malta Marathon.”

The marathon continues to enjoy strong institutional backing from the Embassy of the Republic of Italy in Malta and the Italian Chamber of Commerce, which view the event as a cultural and economic bridge between the two countries.

Vincenzo Catalano, president of the Comites of Malta, described the race as an annual milestone strengthening historic ties between Italy and Malta, while also announcing the return of the NOMA 2026 Prize alongside the marathon.

Media exposure will reach new heights in 2026. Malta’s national broadcaster will provide more than four hours of live coverage for the third consecutive year, following the race from the early-morning start in Mdina to the finish in Sliema. For the first time, the event will also be broadcast live in Italy, with TeleRadio del Mediterraneo deploying its own production team to cover the race.

With record numbers, elite ambitions and unprecedented international exposure, the 41st LifeStar Malta Marathon is shaping up as a defining chapter in the event’s history.

– photo LifeStar Malta Marathon press office –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

RABAT (MOROCCO) (ITALPRESS) – The Africa Cup of Nations (CAN), scheduled for December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, in Morocco, will be “the best ever” and “the record-breaking tournament.” Véron Mosengo-Omba, Secretary General of the African Football Confederation (CAF), stated this Tuesday in Rabat, announcing that over one million tickets have already been sold. Speaking at a press conference to review the latest preparations, Mosengo-Omba emphasized that the Moroccan edition of the CAN stands out for its world-class sporting infrastructure and unprecedented popular enthusiasm.

“We have never held a CAN with such a level of participation and interest,” he said, noting that this will be the first time the competition will be played across nine stadiums. He also noted that the event will be broadcast in 30 European countries, in addition to 54 African countries, while approximately 3,800 media outlets are already accredited to cover the proceedings.

According to the CAF Secretary General, all the stadiums hosting the competition are “world-class.” “The Moulay Abdellah complex is a true museum,” he stated, expressing confidence that CAN 2025 will set new records in terms of competitiveness, hospitality, and revenue.

For his part, the general coordinator of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), Mouad Hajji, emphasized that CAN Morocco 2025 “is not just a continental competition, but an event of global scope.”

He added that CAF and the Local Organizing Committee are making considerable efforts to ensure seamless travel for fans, leveraging the country’s road, rail, and hotel infrastructure. The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Morocco will be held in nine stadiums located in six cities: Rabat, Casablanca, Tangier, Agadir, Fez and Marrakech.

-Photo Map-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

DOHA (QATAR) (ITALPRESS) – Record-breaking prize money. The FIFA Council meeting in Doha has approved an unprecedented financial contribution for the 2026 World Cup: $727 million (around €618 million) will be distributed among the 48 national teams, a 50% increase compared to the 2022 edition in Qatar.

In particular, €557 million will be allocated as performance-based prizes: €42.5 million ($50 million) to the World Cup winners, €28 million to the runners-up, €24.5 million to the third-placed team and €23 million to the fourth. Teams eliminated in the quarter-finals will receive €16 million, those knocked out in the round of 16 €12.7 million, and teams eliminated in the round of 32 €9.3 million. Teams failing to progress beyond the group stage will receive €7.6 million.

FIFA will also pay a contribution of €1.27 million to all national teams to cover preparation costs, guaranteeing a total of €9 million to each federation taking part in the World Cup. “The 2026 World Cup will also be revolutionary from the point of view of financial contributions to the global football community,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino stressed.

The FIFA Council also confirmed the introduction of new Under-15 tournaments in a festival format, open to all 211 affiliated federations. The first edition, reserved for men’s teams, will take place in 2026, while the second, in 2027, will feature women’s teams. From 2028 onwards, all federations will be invited to take part with their U15 teams in two separate competitions, with shorter matches, smaller pitches and teams made up of seven to nine players per side.

The establishment of a post-conflict recovery fund was also approved, as announced by Infantino on October 13 during the peace summit in Sharm El-Sheikh. The fund will serve as a financial instrument to support regions affected by conflict.

With the expansion of participation in the Olympic tournaments starting from Los Angeles 2028, the FIFA Council confirmed the new allocation of slots. For women, the 16 places will be distributed as follows: 2.5 AFC, 2 CAF, 3 Concacaf, 2.5 Conmebol, 1 OFC, 4 UEFA and 1 for host nation USA. For men, the 12 slots will be allocated as follows: 2 AFC, 2 CAF, 1 Concacaf, 2 Conmebol, 1 OFC, 3 UEFA and 1 for the USA as host.

Finally, the launch of the FIFA Women’s Club World Cup was also officially announced, with the first edition set to take place from January 5 to 30, 2028.

– Photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews