ROME (ITALPRESS) – On the pitch, the match went to extra time with Senegal winning. Morocco prevailed in the sporting tribunals, having been awarded the Africa Cup of Nations by the Appeals Committee of the CAF, the Confederation of African Football. The match, the longest final in history, is not over yet.

It will go to penalties, as the FSF, the Senegalese Football Federation, has announced it will appeal to the CAS in Lausanne “against an unjust, unacceptable, and unprecedented decision that discredits African football. To defend its rights and the interests of Senegalese football, the Federation will appeal as soon as possible to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne.”

And Morocco? The FSFF issued a statement, emphasizing that the Appeals Committee merely applied Articles 82 and 84 of the competition regulations. The Federation’s position also leaks, namely that the legal actions were not undertaken with the intention of “calling into question the sporting performance of the teams participating in the tournament, but only to demand the application of the regulations. The Federation reiterates its commitment to respecting the rules, maintaining a clear competitive framework, and ensuring the stability of African competitions.”

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The abandoned Arctic Metagaz LNG tanker has moved closer to Libya, raising fresh concerns over maritime safety and environmental risks in the central Mediterranean. Strong winds may push the vessel into waters 600 meters deep, increasing the potential danger.

Malta’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Ian Borg, has called on the European Union to prevent “shadow fleet” vessels from entering EU waters. Speaking at the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels, Borg highlighted the risks posed by poorly regulated ships and urged stronger checks at key transit points, including the Suez Canal and the Strait of Gibraltar.

Borg emphasized that vessels should have valid insurance and legitimate flag status, warning that inadequately covered ships could endanger European waters. His concerns were supported by fellow MED9 Mediterranean EU states.

The minister updated EU counterparts on Malta’s ongoing monitoring of the Arctic Metagaz and said preparations with Italy and other stakeholders are underway to safeguard both mariners and the marine environment.

Borg also noted gaps in sanctions frameworks, which could complicate emergency responses at sea. He suggested that the EU explore mechanisms allowing salvage operations without exposing operators to third-party sanctions.

Labour MEP Thomas Bajada also urged urgent EU action, citing serious environmental and water security risks posed by the drifting Russian tanker.

-Photo DOI-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

BUENOS AIRES (ARGENTINA) (ITALPRESS) – With the “Finalissima” against Spain canceled, Argentina will play a friendly against Guatemala on March 31 in Buenos Aires.

It will be the Seleccion’s last match in front of their fans before the World Cup. The venue is yet to be determined, however, as the Monumental, which usually hosts the national team’s matches, is already booked for an ACDC concert on that date.

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(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

BARCELONA (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – “Renewal? I don’t think it’s the right time to talk about it. We have a very important match. Everyone knows I’m very happy here, but I need to talk to my family. There will be time to talk about it, but now isn’t the time.“ Hansi Flick is trying to deflect questions about his future at Barcelona on the eve of the Champions League round of 16 second leg against Newcastle.

In the past few hours, Blaugrana president Joan Laporta, recently confirmed as the club’s manager, in addition to discussing the transfer market (“Rashford’s buyout? We’ll try to talk to Manchester United and find a solution that won’t weigh too heavily on the club’s finances”), assured that “we will announce Hansi Flick’s renewal soon.”

The German manager’s contract expires in 2027, “but we always like coaches to have an extra year. I’d like to complete this entire term with Flick; it would demonstrate stability and that we’re winning. The manager is a young man, with a lot of energy, happy at the club and in the city.”

The player himself confirmed that “I like working here. The most important thing, what I feel, is that I have a great family. I have the support of Barcelona here, but this is football. I’m here to help the team reach the highest level; there’s still time. I don’t plan on going anywhere else. This will be my last club, my last job, and I’m happy about it.”

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Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – “If he can be 100% fit when the World Cup rolls around, he can be there. He must continue to work and play, demonstrating his quality and good physical condition.” For Carlo Ancelotti, this is the path Neymar must take to make the World Cup squad.

The Santos striker is currently among those notable exclusions for the two friendlies Brazil will face France on March 26 in Boston and Croatia on March 31 in Orlando.

“I don’t want to remain silent. Obviously, I’m disappointed and sad not to have been called up,” Neymar said, having been included in the Italian coach’s preliminary squad but then left off the final list. “But I’m staying focused: day after day, training session after training session, match after match. The final list is yet to be released, and I want to achieve my goal,” he told Globoesporte during a Kings League event.

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(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Prime Minister Robert Abela said the Maltese government will take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of Armed Forces of Malta personnel stationed in Lebanon, as regional tensions continue to escalate.

Malta deploys a yearly contingent of ten soldiers to southern Lebanon as part of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). The troops are based at Camp Shamrock, serving alongside Irish and Polish battalions in a strictly peacekeeping role.

Abela stressed that Maltese personnel are not involved in combat operations, but the government remains vigilant as the security situation deteriorates.

The situation in southern Lebanon has grown increasingly volatile following an Israeli ground invasion targeting Hezbollah positions, accompanied by intensified air strikes.

Abela said he has been in contact with the families of deployed soldiers, offering reassurance that their safety is a top priority. The Prime Minister added that authorities are closely monitoring developments on the ground and are prepared to act if circumstances worsen.

On the wider Middle East conflict, Abela revealed he has also held discussions with the President of the United Arab Emirates, who described facing attacks involving Iranian drones and missiles.

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(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

BARCELONA (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – “Leo will be linked to Barcelona in the way he wishes. He deserves a testimonial match and also a statue. It would be extremely important—only Ladislao Kubala and Johan Cruyff have their own statue at the stadium.” Joan Laporta, re-elected as Barcelona president until 2031 after defeating Victor Font, spoke again about the Argentine superstar after former coach Xavi recently blamed him for Messi’s failed return in 2023. Laporta did not go into detail but reiterated that “the doors of Barcelona are always open for Messi, whenever he wants, so he can continue to strengthen and enrich this club.”

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(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

RIO DE JANEIRO (BRAZIL) (ITALPRESS) – Juventus defender Bremer and Roma’s Wesley are among the players called up by Carlo Ancelotti for the two friendlies that will see Brazil face France on March 26 in Boston and Croatia on March 31 in Orlando. Despite being included in the preliminary squad list, Neymar has been left out.

“If he manages to be at 100% by the time of the World Cup, he can be included,” said the Seleção head coach, leaving the door open. “He’s not here today because he’s not at 100% right now, and I need players who are fully fit at the moment. But as I said, the discussion is different when it comes to the World Cup squad. Neymar must keep working and playing, showing his qualities and maintaining good physical condition.”

Here is the squad for the two matches in the United States:

Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Bento (Al-Nassr), Ederson (Fenerbahçe)
Defenders: Alex Sandro (Flamengo), Bremer (Juventus), Danilo (Flamengo), Douglas Santos (Zenit), Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal), Ibanez (Al-Ahli), Léo Pereira (Flamengo), Marquinhos (PSG), Wesley (Roma)
Midfielders: Andrey Santos (Chelsea), Casemiro (Manchester United), Danilo (Botafogo), Fabinho (Al-Ittihad), Gabriel Sara (Galatasaray)
Forwards: Endrick (Lyon), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Igor Thiago (Brentford), João Pedro (Chelsea), Luiz Henrique (Zenit), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United), Raphinha (Barcelona), Rayan (Bournemouth), Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid).

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(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MANCHESTER (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – There’s no turning back at Manchester United, Casemiro will leave in June. The former Real Madrid player, after announcing in January that he would not renew his contract, has begun to put in a string of top-notch performances, scoring seven goals this season, six of them headers.

According to “BBC Sports,” despite his current importance at the club, there will be no reconsideration of a possible extension, a move that has been called for both by fans—who chanted “one more year, Casemiro” after the 3-1 win against Aston Villa—and by Bruno Fernandes and Yoro, who stated post-match that they hope the Brazilian stays in Manchester.

According to the BBC, however, there’s no chance his stay will be extended, a sentiment also implied by Red Devils manager Michael Carrick: “When you make a decision, everything becomes a little easier and everyone understands the situation.” Furthermore, Casemiro’s salary (around €21 million gross per season) is in conflict with the cost-cutting measures initiated by the new minority shareholder, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, with the club also committed to reducing the average age of the squad.

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Source: medNews

LONDON (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – Chelsea have been hit with a record fine of £10 million (€11.5 million) and a two-day transfer ban—suspended for two years—from signing players for the first team. This is the penalty imposed by the Premier League for a series of financial irregularities committed in the transfer market between 2011 and 2018, during the Abramovich era, during which the London club made £47 million in unregistered payments to unregistered agents and third parties.

The fine imposed on the Blues, which was also reduced by 50% because the club itself reported the matter to the new owners, surpasses the previous record (£5.5 million to West Ham in 2007 for the salaries of Mascherano and Tevez) and comes on top of another £750,000 fine—and a nine-month ban on youth transfers—for irregularities committed between 2019 and 2022 related to the registration of players for the youth system.

Among the deals contested by the Premier League are those that brought players such as Hazard, Eto’o, Willian, Ramires, David Luiz, Schurrle, and Matic to Stamford Bridge, but no violations were found by the players involved. A league table penalty was also avoided as, according to the Premier League, no Financial Fair Play regulations were violated.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews