JEDDAH (SAUDI ARABIA) (ITALPRESS) – “There must be a culture of dialogue, mutual listening and respect for one another. This is not about seeking approval in the newspapers, but about doing what is right for football. I have never been so determined and committed to doing so.” That is the appeal made by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who, in an Instagram post written from Jeddah on the occasion of the Arabian Gulf Cup, is seeking to extend an olive branch following the rift that has developed in recent months over the FFE project.

Ahead of the next FIFA Council meeting on October 15, Infantino said he had sent a letter to the affiliated associations “in which I propose that we discuss reforms within FIFA. I look forward to hearing everyone’s views. I have received positive messages on this from various parts of the world, and it is important that we continue to listen to one another, here in Saudi Arabia as well as in each of our 211 member associations.

“Next month we will have a FIFA Council meeting, so we will continue our dialogue on these important issues.”The FIFA president reiterated that the interests of football remain his top priority. “I am always committed and I want to listen to how we can continue to grow football for the benefit of everyone, everywhere.”

– Photo Ipa Agency –

(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

UDINE (ITALPRESS) – “Udinese Calcio are proud to announce the signing of David Alaba, one of the most successful and prestigious footballers on the international stage.” The Serie A club have officially announced the signing of the Austrian defender, born in 1992, who “has signed a contract that will keep him at the club until June 30, 2027.”

A player of outstanding technical quality, leadership and tactical versatility, Alaba arrives in Udine after a career spent at the highest levels of world football, the Friuli-based club underlined.

Born in Vienna on June 24, 1992, Alaba came through the youth academy of Austria Vienna. At the age of 16, he was signed by Bayern Munich, where he established himself as one of the finest players in his position at international level, building an exceptional trophy cabinet that includes numerous domestic league titles, cups and European honours.

Throughout his career, he has represented a number of prestigious clubs, distinguishing himself through his performances, professionalism and consistency.

With Bayern Munich, he won dozens of trophies, including two Champions League titles, two FIFA Club World Cups, two UEFA Super Cups, 10 Bundesliga titles, six German Cups and five German Super Cups. He played a leading role in the Bavarians’ successes, making 431 appearances and scoring 33 goals between 2010 and 2021.

Subsequently, from 2021 to 2026, he further confirmed his quality at Real Madrid, adding more domestic and international honours to an already remarkable trophy cabinet: two Champions League titles, one FIFA Club World Cup, one UEFA Super Cup, two La Liga titles, one Copa del Rey and two Spanish Super Cups.

Captain and a key figure for the Austrian national team for more than a decade, Alaba has made 117 appearances and scored 15 goals for his country, featuring at two European Championships and the most recent World Cup. He brings to Udine experience, personality and a winning mentality forged on the biggest stages of world football.

“David Alaba’s signing is a source of enormous satisfaction for the entire club,” said General Director Franco Collavino. “We are welcoming an established champion, a leader and an exemplary professional. His arrival demonstrates Udinese’s determination to grow, compete at the highest levels and build an increasingly ambitious team.”

These were David Alaba’s first words as a Udinese player: “I have had many experiences and won a lot throughout my career, but one thing has never changed: I want to win again. I want to compete again. And I want to achieve something special once again. That is the mentality I am bringing to Udinese.”

“The coach,” the player continued, “has made it very clear what role he has in mind for me and what he wants us to achieve together. Obviously, I want to bring my experience into the dressing room, take responsibility and help whenever possible, especially the younger players. I’m not here simply to be the experienced player in the team, and I’m certainly not coming here to wind down my career. I’m still far too ambitious for that, and I still firmly believe in what I can do on the pitch. I want to keep pushing, perform at the highest level in Serie A week after week and achieve something. I’m very excited about this challenge, and I still have a lot to prove to myself.”

– Photo Ipa Agency –
(ITALPRESS).

 

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – According to British media reports, Manchester United’s debt has reached astronomical levels. The Red Devils’ financial exposure reportedly exceeds one billion pounds. Consequently, the English club has launched a new campaign, putting pieces of the Old Trafford pitch up for sale. Manchester United is selling a fragment measuring approximately 7 by 7 centimeters for £125 (about €140). The Old Trafford pitch was relaid this summer, and—for the first time in 14 years—the turf was removed down to the foundation. It is now available for purchase, and the club hopes to receive numerous orders from Red Devils fans.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Prime Minister Robert Abela has reaffirmed Malta’s support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity during the sixth summit of the International Crimea Platform in New York. Addressing the summit, Abela condemned Russia’s occupation of Crimea and reiterated Malta’s position that actions undermining the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states violate the principles of the United Nations Charter.

The Prime Minister also highlighted the situation of people living in occupied territories, including the illegal transfer and deportation of Ukrainian children. “Justice for victims and accountability for those who violate international law are essential to building lasting peace,” Abela said.

He reaffirmed Malta’s support for international courts, tribunals and other accountability mechanisms, saying lasting peace must be based on the UN Charter and respect for states’ sovereignty and territorial integrity. He concluded by reaffirming Malta’s commitment to working with international partners towards a just and lasting peace grounded in respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity and international law.

– photo Malta Department of Information –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – France and Zinedine Zidane have lost a key defensive pillar. Ibrahima Konaté has been forced to withdraw due to a right knee injury (described by the FFF as a minor sprain) and will miss Les Bleus’ four upcoming Nations League matches: tomorrow evening’s game against Turkey, the two fixtures against Belgium on September 28 and October 5, and—most notably—the big match against Italy on October 2.

The French side is drawn in Group 1 of League A, alongside Roberto Mancini’s Azzurr*. Zidane has moved quickly to address the situation, calling up Manchester United defender Leny Yoro to replace Konaté; this marks Yoro’s first-ever call-up to the senior national team.

– foto IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – The Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) took first place in the legislative elections held yesterday, Wednesday, September 23, securing 97 out of 395 seats in the House of Representatives. Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit announced the results at a press conference early this morning. According to the provisional results released by the minister, the National Rally of Independents (RNI) came in second with 66 seats, followed by the Istiqlal Party with 65. The Justice and Development Party (PJD) quadrupled its seat count compared to the previous legislature, reaching 54. The Socialist Union of Popular Forces won 26 seats, the Popular Movement 29, the Party of Progress and Socialism 19, the Constitutional Union 17, the Social Democratic Movement 8, and the Left Alliance also 8. The Front of Democratic Forces and the Equity Party won two seats each, while the New Democrats and Unity and Democracy secured one seat each.

Voter turnout stood at 38.02%. Over 3,000 observers were deployed to monitor the proceedings. The Interior Minister stated that “voting across the national territory took place under normal conditions, with the exception of isolated incidents that did not affect the process.” In the elections of September 8, 2021, the National Rally of Independents had emerged as the leading party, followed by the PAM, Istiqlal, the Socialist Union of Popular Forces, the Popular Movement, the Party of Progress and Socialism, the Constitutional Union, and the PJD.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

WOLFSBURG (GERMANY) (ITALPRESS) – He has not returned to the pitch since June 7, and for this reason, too, it was perhaps the right decision to make. Christian Eriksen and Wolfsburg have announced that they have mutually agreed to terminate the midfielder’s contract ahead of schedule, with the deal originally set to expire on June 30 next year.

The 34-year-old Danish midfielder joined the club last summer but was unable to prevent their relegation to Bundesliga 2. Then, at the beginning of June, he suffered a medical emergency during a friendly between Denmark and Ukraine, collapsing on the pitch and inevitably bringing back memories of the incident five years earlier, when he subsequently had a cardiac defibrillator implanted.

That defibrillator proved decisive in June, with Eriksen beginning an individual rehabilitation programme in Denmark the following month.

“For us, it was clear that the decision about his future had to be Christian’s,” said Wolfsburg sporting director Dieter Hecking. “We wanted to give him that freedom in this particular situation, and therefore accepted his request to terminate the contract.”

“At this moment, it is important for me to be close to my family in Denmark,” Eriksen explained. “I am happy that we were able to find a solution together. My time at Wolfsburg has been marked by many ups and downs. I know that the club is now in good hands and capable of finding its way back to the Bundesliga.”

– Photo Ipa Agency –

(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

LISBON (PORTUGAL) (ITALPRESS) – “Football is not for sale. This is the message UEFA has been championing for years. Football will remain safe if those who govern it remember for whom they govern.” These were the words of UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin, speaking remotely at the Portugal Summit currently taking place in Oeiras through Saturday.

“Uniting our perspectives is the only way to tackle the challenges facing football. Not everyone puts football above their own ambitions,” Ceferin emphasized—as reported by A Bola—without explicitly mentioning Gianni Infantino, even though the intended target of his remarks seemed quite clear. “Trust rests on three pillars: unity, transparency, and governance that serves everyone rather than just a minority. Yet, recently, everyone has been let down by people who had sworn to protect them. The project that shattered the unity of the football world may have been scrapped, but the trust that was broken has not been restored, and regaining it is our challenge,” Ceferin added, alluding to the FFE project Infantino had been attempting to advance.

– foto IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

TUNIS (TUNISIA) (ITALPRESS) – On the instructions of Tunisian President Kais Saied, Tunisia sent a substantial shipment of medical aid to the Democratic Republic of the Congo on September 22 to support local authorities’ efforts to combat the spread of the Ebola virus. The shipment, sent in response to an African Union appeal to member states, includes medicines as well as medical and paramedical supplies intended to bolster the Congolese healthcare system’s capacity to tackle the epidemic. The cargo was transported from Tunis to Kinshasa International Airport aboard a Tunisian military aircraft, with the involvement of the Ministry of National Defence. The Tunisian Embassy in Kinshasa will oversee the handover to the relevant Congolese authorities. The initiative was carried out through coordination among the Tunisian Ministries of Foreign Affairs, National Defence, Health, and Social Affairs, alongside the Tunisian Red Crescent and the Tunisian Union for Social Solidarity.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

UDINE (ITALPRESS) – David Alaba to Udinese? Rumors from Spain are starting to take more concrete shape after the Friulian club dropped a hint on social media: an image of a chair on a football pitch—a reference to the Austrian defender’s celebration following the 2021-22 Champions League Round of 16 return leg between Real Madrid and PSG, when he celebrated by lifting a chair high into the air. Alaba, a four-time Champions League winner with Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, is a free agent after spending the last five seasons with Los Blancos. However, his time there was marred by an ACL tear in his left knee in 2023—which sidelined him for over a year—and a series of physical issues that hampered his comeback.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews