ROME (ITALPRESS) – Having released Pocognoli, who accepted Monaco’s offer, Union Saint-Gilloise has appointed David Hubert as its new coach. A former midfielder who managed Anderlecht until last March, he signed with Leuven in June, picking up 8 points from his first 10 matchdays. Now, Union SG, who are top of the table, have their debut on Saturday against Charleroi, and the Champions League match against Inter on October 21st.

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(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – After Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, and Ghana, another African team has qualified for the 2026 World Cup. Cape Verde made a historic first, finishing first in Group D ahead of a more highly-rated Cameroon: a decisive 3-0 victory against Eswatini, with second-half goals from former Verona player Rocha Livramento, Semedo, and Stopira.

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(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta’s Prime Minister Robert Abela described the latest developments in the Middle East as “important moments,” highlighting that Malta has long advocated for a ceasefire and lasting peace in the region. Speaking to the national television station, Abela recalled that during meetings of the EU Council of Ministers, he was among the few European leaders who consistently called for an agreement to end hostilities between Israel and Palestine.

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(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – Arab sirens are increasingly pressing for Lamine Yamal. According to a report today by the website Fichajes.net, and reported by ‘Marca,’ Simone Inzaghi’s Al-Hilal have reportedly made an unprecedented €400 million offer, offering the 18-year-old Barcelona star a seven-year contract.

The Catalan club has reportedly rejected the offer, reiterating that they won’t sell their star player even for €400 million, a figure that would constitute the highest transfer fee in football history. This isn’t the first time Yamal has been targeted by wealthy clubs: in March last year, Barcelona rejected a €200 million offer from PSG.

Yamal is already marking an era for the Catalan club, breaking all records for his precociousness. He is also considered a key player for Barcelona, ​​who renewed his contract this summer until 2031, making him one of the team’s highest-paid players (a fixed salary of around ten million euros and a signing bonus of 25 spread over six years and bonuses for various items).

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(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ISTANBUL (TURKEY) (ITALPRESS) – The Berke Ozer scandal has exploded in Turkey. Recruited by Vincenzo Montella for the World Cup qualifiers, the Lille goalkeeper—a key figure in the Europa League against Roma with three penalty saves, two from Dovbyk and one from Soulè—“left the training camp on his own initiative, without the permission of the coaching staff and management, upon the delegation’s return to Istanbul after yesterday’s Bulgaria-Turkey match, justifying his decision by the failure to be called up for the match.” This was reported in a statement by the Turkish Football Federation, the day after the trip to Sofia.

Ozer, however, disagrees and provides his version of events via Instagram. The goalkeeper revealed that before joining the training camp, he had informed the staff that he wasn’t at his best.

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(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – A group of more than 100 people on a boat within Malta’s search-and-rescue (SAR) zone reported being fired upon by the Libyan coastguard on Sunday afternoon, according to NGO Alarm Phone.

Alarm Phone, which operates a hotline for migrants crossing the Mediterranean, said the distress call came at around 1.30pm from a vessel carrying some 113 people, located roughly 90 nautical miles southeast of Malta. “The people report they are being shot at by the so-called Libyan Coastguard right now!” the NGO wrote on social media, urging European authorities to act immediately to stop the attack and bring those on board to safety.

Malta’s SAR area, one of the largest in the Mediterranean, overlaps with its flight information region — a remnant of British rule. But NGOs often accuse Malta and Italy of slow responses to migrant distress calls while deepening cooperation with Libya to curb arrivals. Rights groups have repeatedly documented abuses against migrants in Libya, where rival governments and militias control different regions. Despite this instability, EU member states continue to rely on Libyan authorities to intercept migrant boats before they reach European waters. Malta has long argued that migration management requires regional coordination, though critics say its approach overlooks humanitarian obligations.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta has maintained its A (high) credit rating with a stable outlook from international agency Morningstar DBRS, which praised the country’s eurozone membership, strong external position, and resilient banking sector.

Prime Minister Robert Abela welcomed the decision, calling it “a testament to our economy’s resilience.” He said Malta’s choice to avoid austerity “is paying off,” as economic growth continues to support deficit and debt reduction.

The rating keeps Malta’s long- and short-term ratings at A (high) and R-1 (middle). However, DBRS warned that high government spending remains a concern. Malta’s deficit stood at 3.6% of GDP in 2024, well above the EU average of 2.1%, and is projected to narrow only gradually in the coming years.

New household support measures and ongoing energy subsidies are slowing fiscal consolidation. The subsidies alone are forecast to cost 0.7% of GDP in 2025.

After years of rapid growth, Malta’s economy is cooling. Real GDP expanded by 6.8% in 2024 but slowed to 3.1% in early 2025. The Central Bank expects growth to average around 3.5% through 2027. Tourism remains robust, with arrivals up 12.1% in the first seven months of 2025.

Public debt remains moderate at 46.2% of GDP but is expected to approach 49% by 2026. The banking system is strong but heavily exposed to real estate, with property-related loans making up 71.5% of all resident bank lending.

Morningstar DBRS noted that while Malta performs in line with EU peers on rule of law, it lags in government effectiveness and corruption control. The country remains under an EU excessive deficit procedure launched in 2024.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

BELGRADE (SERBIA) (ITALPRESS) – Dragan Stojkovic is no longer the coach of Serbia. The coach resigned after yesterday’s home defeat to Albania, in a 2026 World Cup qualifying match. The possibility of the play-offs is also fading for the Serbians, and Stojkovic has assumed his responsibilities by resigning.

The Federation announced that it has entrusted the team to former Juventus defender Zoran Mirkovic, coach of the Under-21 team, who will lead the senior team in the match on Tuesday the 14th in Andorra. The Football Association of Serbia also announced that its board of directors will meet on Friday the 17th to make all decisions related to the national team.

“The Serbian Football Federation would like to take this opportunity to express its gratitude to Dragan Stojkovic for everything he has done over the past four and a half years leading the national team, particularly in qualifying for the World Cup and European Championships, as well as in securing first place in Division B of the Nations League and maintaining its status among the elite of European football,” the federation statement concludes.

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(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MONTE CARLO (MONACO) (ITALPRESS) – Having dismissed Adi Huetter, Monaco has officially appointed Sebastien Pocognoli as manager. The 38-year-old Belgian coach, who has signed a contract until June 2027, arrives from Union Saint-Gilloise, whom he led to the league title (their first title in 90 years) and the Belgian Super Cup last season. Under his guidance, Union Saint-Gilloise were top of the table after the first 10 matchdays and on three points in the Champions League thanks to a 3-1 win at PSV. According to “L’Equipe,” Monaco paid the Belgian club one million euros to release Pocognoli.

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(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

PARIS (FRANCE) (ITALPRESS) – After calling up Mateta and Thauvin, Didier Deschamps is forced to make further additions. A thigh problem has sidelined Ibrahima Konatè, and for Monday’s World Cup qualifier against Iceland, the coach has called up Benjamin Pavard, formerly of Inter Milan and now at Marseille, who was called up last month to replace Saliba.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews