ISTANBUL (TURKEY) (ITALPRESS) – José Mourinho, on the day of his presentation as Benfica‘s new coach, called his decision to lead Fenerbahce “a mistake,” emphasizing that now at his new club he feels he’s back on the level of the great clubs he coached throughout his career. “My journey has been rich: I’ve managed the biggest clubs in the world in various countries,” the former Inter and Roma player said at a press conference. “I made the wrong choice; I have no regrets, because regrets are useless in life, but there’s the awareness of what you’ve done well and what you’ve done poorly. I was wrong to go to Fenerbahce: it wasn’t my level, neither culturally nor football-wise. I still gave everything until the last day. But coaching Benfica means returning to my level, and my level is coaching the biggest clubs in the world,” the Portuguese coach stated.

Ali Koc, Fenerbahce president, responded. “Mourinho’s departure was a difficult decision for me. He was like a member of the family,” the Turkish club’s president told Now TV. “He said coming here was a mistake. Perhaps, in the end, it was a mistake for both parties. Now he claims to have landed at a club of his caliber: good, I’m happy for him. I will always remember him fondly. But a coach of his caliber undermines himself with statements like that.”

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – The Association of European Leagues met in Brussels with Glenn Micallef, European Commissioner for Intergenerational Equality, Youth, Culture and Sport. Both sides emphasized the importance of an inclusive and transparent governance model that ensures adequate representation of national leagues in football’s decision-making bodies.

The meeting also provided the opportunity to discuss the joint complaint filed by the European Leagues and FIFPRO Europe to the European Commission regarding FIFA’s unilateral decisions on the scheduling of international matches. The financial sustainability of European football was also at the center of the discussions, with particular focus on improving distribution models and solidarity mechanisms in international competitions and the need to address the risks of financial polarization and widening disparities within domestic competitions.

“The meeting was also an opportunity for the Association of European Leagues to support the Commissioner’s agenda aimed at safeguarding the European sporting model, founded on solidarity, integrity, sporting merit, and open competitions,” ended today’s statement.

– photo Department of Information Malta –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Greek Vice President Kostis Hatzidakis has hailed CrediaBank’s acquisition of HSBC Malta as a “positive development” for both Greece’s banking sector and the wider economy. The €200 million deal, announced Tuesday, secures HSBC Continental Europe’s 70% stake in the Maltese lender.

The transaction price represents a steep discount of nearly 55% on HSBC Malta’s book value, estimated at around €600 million. The stake, valued at roughly €428 million, was sold for just €200 million, with CrediaBank citing “substantial badwill” that could translate into higher profits after completion.

Shares will change hands at €0.793 each for the majority holding, while minority investors will receive a mandatory takeover offer at €1.44 per share — a 9% premium over Monday’s closing price of €1.32.

Hatzidakis, who previously oversaw the restructuring of Attica Bank, said the deal “strengthens the fifth pillar” of Greece’s banking system and fosters greater competition in the market. He also argued that the acquisition validates Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’s decision to support CrediaBank’s stabilisation strategy.

The acquisition marks a significant step in CrediaBank’s regional expansion, adding weight to Greece’s financial sector as it continues its post-crisis recovery.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – Two of Diego Maradona’s sisters, Rita Mabel and Claudia Norma Maradona, have been put on trial. Furthermore, part of their assets has been seized. All of this for fraudulent administration of the “Diego Maradona” brand, according to the South American press.

Maradona’s two sisters were tried without pre-trial detention and assets worth 2 billion Argentine pesos (approximately 1.15 million euros and 1.34 million USD) were seized. The case was brought before the judges following a complaint filed by two of Diego’s daughters, Dalma and Gianinna Maradona.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

BARCELONA (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – “I never bought referees.” These were the words of former Barcelona presidents Josep Maria Bartomeu and Sandro Rosell, at the Ciutat de la Justicia in the large Catalan city, during the trial into alleged bribes paid, over years, to former referee and former vice president of the Spanish referees’ committee, José Maria Enriquez Negreira. After testifying before Judge Alejandra Gil, Bartomeu stopped to speak with representatives of the Spanish media. “It has been demonstrated that many of the theories that have been advanced over the years are null and void. Many issues have been clarified. Above all, it has been clarified that there were sports consulting services, referee reports, pre-match and post-match reports, and that such consultancy entailed a financial fee,” said the former Barcelona president.

“It has also been proven that the departure of Enriquez Negreira’s son from the club has nothing to do with the date on which his father left the FEF. The theory that one thing was a consequence of the other has been debunked,” Bartomeu added.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ZURICH (SWITZERLAND) (ITALPRESS) – Spain tops the list, world champion Argentina slips to third, and Italy returns to the top ten. These are some of the many big changes in the new FIFA national team rankings, compiled after over 200 international matches. The reigning European champions return to the top of the world rankings, 11 years after last doing so. The Reds overtake world champion Argentina, who had led the world rankings since April 2023, but who now slip to third place, also overtaken by France, who climbed one place. England remains fourth, while Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal rises to fifth place, overtaking Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil, who are now sixth. The Netherlands and Belgium remain unchanged in their rankings, seventh and eighth place respectively, while Croatia and Rino Gattuso’s Italy national team, both gaining one place and closing the top ten, are tenth with 1,710 points. Germany, however, has suffered a loss, dropping three places and now ranks 12th, behind Morocco (11th).

Top 10 positions:

1. Spain 1875.37 (+1)

2. France 1870.92 (+1)

3. Argentina 1870.32 points (-2)

4. England 1820.44 (–)

5. Portugal 1779.55 (+1)

6. Brazil 1761.6 (-1)

7. Netherlands 1754.17 (–)

8. Belgium 1739.54 (–)

9. Croatia 1714.2 (+1)

10. Italy 1710.06 (+1)

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

PALERMO (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Sicily’s strategic role and the need to strengthen ties between Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. These were some of the key themes of the international conference “Palermo, Crossroads of the Mediterranean”, held at the Hotel Villa Igiea in the Sicilian capital, organized by the MedOr Italian Foundation.

Numerous national and international guests took turns speaking during the conference, including debate sessions and institutional presentations. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict was inevitably at the center of the discussion, but the challenges of fostering Africa’s development and the active role Europe is preparing to play were also discussed. The Greater Mediterranean is “a large region that, in my vision, extends to the Gulf countries and beyond, all the way to India. A priority region, which we increasingly want to be an area of peace, dialogue, and growth”, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani emphasized in a message.  “I am thinking first and foremost of Gaza, where in recent months we have witnessed a veritable carnage. We are opposed to the offensive in Gaza due to the risks to the civilian population, and to any suggestion of forcibly transferring Palestinians from the Strip. Just as we condemn any plan to expand Israeli settlements in the West Bank, or to annex it. We are working for a ceasefire, the release of hostages, and access for humanitarian aid. We cannot and do not want to resign ourselves to further military escalation, which would worsen an already catastrophic humanitarian crisis”. “The Mare Nostrum must no longer be associated with deaths at sea”, Tajani continues. “We work with our Southern Shore partners to combat criminal networks of human traffickers and to promote growth through equal partnerships, also in the spirit of the Mattei Plan. Italy aims to be Europe’s energy hub in the Mediterranean, thanks to a network of connections that has its terminal in our country. This is also why we are leading the IMEC economic and logistics corridor project, the Cotton Route, to which our companies can make a decisive contribution. Because where goods pass, weapons do not. Thanks to our strong commitment and teamwork, we aim to make Italy a leading player in Europe, the Mediterranean, and the world”.

In the afternoon, the meeting was attended, among others, by Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, via video, and by University Minister Anna Maria Bernini. “The Mediterranean is not just a sea, but a complex geopolitical system intertwined with global interests, economic dynamics, and migratory phenomena,” emphasized the Interior Minister. “The level of contention among the actors seeking to exert a sphere of influence over it has risen. Thirty percent of the planet’s oil flows beneath the Mediterranean, and a multitude of undersea cables guarantee internet access to thousands of people. Maintaining the viability of the Mediterranean is crucial not only from an economic but also a security perspective: the national interest must look beyond the Mediterranean basin to counter any form of threat”. Every day, Piantedosi continues, “we face the risk that certain individuals may plan to carry out terrorist attacks in our country. Risks also arise from irregular flows, partly due to the shortcomings of countries of origin in exercising efficient border control, something we have strengthened together with a number of international actors. The migrant business generates 5-6 billion euros in profits each year, 1 billion euros of which comes from the Mediterranean alone. Our commitment to combating migrant smuggling and human trafficking continues; we cannot accept criminal cartels enriching themselves by exploiting people’s desperation. The relentless fight against traffickers is not only a moral duty, but a fundamental strategy for containing the flow: migrants must be provided with legal alternatives to their plans before arriving on European soil”.

Bernini emphasizes how Italy is “a hinge between Europe and the broader Mediterranean in terms of research, innovation, and higher education: we already began some time ago with the Mattei Plan to launch a series of concrete actions and collaborations between research institutions. MedOr sits alongside us in the Mattei Plan’s steering committee, but is also a special advisor to my ministry. We develop concrete projects and missions in which we bring together universities, Italian and African research institutions, businesses, and local communities in a highly virtuous ecosystem, to ensure that culture, education, knowledge, and research are interoperable,” he continues. “For research, there are no borders, only connections, and we strive to create them: all this translates into collaboration agreements, called Joint Degrees, and Capacity Building, which involves training managers, officials, and technicians with best practices, so that everyone can speak the same language”.

– photo xd8/Italpress –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – New legal troubles for Douglas Costa. The 35-year-old former Juventus forward (2017–2020) is facing an arrest warrant issued by the Porto Alegre court for failure to pay alimony. The disputed amount totals 492,965.29 reais (over 78,000 euros), according to Globoesporte.com.

The ruling includes a 30-day prison sentence. This is not the first time the player has been scrutinized by the judiciary: two years ago, while playing for the Los Angeles Galaxy, he was involved in a similar case.

The warrant, valid for two years, authorizes any court officer or law enforcement authority to carry out the arrest. Adding to his legal woes, Sydney FC has announced the termination of his contract. “Sydney has mutually agreed to terminate Douglas Costa’s contract, as the player is unable to travel to Australia. Ongoing legal and personal issues in his home country have prevented the Brazilian from leaving,” read the Australian club’s statement.

In one year wearing the Sky Blue shirt, the forward made 25 appearances, scoring six goals and providing eight assists.

Before leaving, Costa thanked the team and fans:“I want to thank Sydney for giving me the opportunity to play in Australia: it was an incredible year in the Sky Blue jersey. I’m sorry I cannot return right now due to issues I must resolve back home, but I will always remember my time in Sydney fondly. To the members and fans, thank you from the bottom of my heart for the support you gave me and the team. Playing in front of you was very special, and I will never forget it.”

– Foto IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta will not join growing calls to boycott the Eurovision Song Contest should Israel be allowed to take part, Culture Minister Owen Bonnici has confirmed.

Bonnici said he encourages “a culture of dialogue” and insisted that Malta will not threaten to withdraw. “I believe the Eurovision is a place of dialogue,” the minister said. “Although I completely criticise the actions of the Israeli government, I believe that the window of dialogue should always be open.” Bonnici argued that cultural spaces should be used to foster understanding. “Culture should be that one safe space where dialogue can always occur,” he said.

His comments come as several countries – including Ireland, Slovenia, Iceland, the Netherlands and, most recently, Spain – have threatened not to participate in next year’s contest if Israel competes. Spain, a member of the contest’s influential “big five,” is the first major financial contributor to raise the prospect of withdrawal. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organises Eurovision, is expected to decide on Israel’s participation at its general assembly in December.

– Photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta’s annual inflation rate has climbed to 2.7%, up by 0.2 percentage points, National Statistics Office and Eurostat figures show. This keeps it above both the EU average of 2.4% and the euro area average of 2.0%. While Malta’s inflation is higher than the European averages, it ranks only 15th within the EU, meaning that a slight majority of member states are facing higher rates. The highest inflation was reported in Romania (8.5%), followed by Estonia (6.2%) and Croatia (4.6%).

At the other end of the scale, Cyprus recorded no inflation, while France registered 0.8% and Italy 1.6%. Compared with July 2025, annual inflation fell in nine EU states, stayed stable in four and rose in 14, including Malta. Inflation is measured through the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP), which allows for EU-wide comparisons. The HICP excludes owner-occupied housing, a sector with notable price increases in Malta. The NSO highlighted that the largest upward push in Malta came from restaurants and hotels (+0.69pp), driven mainly by higher restaurant prices. Food and non-alcoholic beverages followed closely (+0.68pp), largely due to increased meat prices. Transport added another +0.40pp, mostly because of more expensive air travel.

– Photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews