LONDON (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – Roman Abramovich lawyers insist £2.5bn from Chelsea sale is still his and blame government for delays over funds. The British government has frozen a significant sum of 2.3 billion pounds (2.9 billion euros), stemming from the sale of the Blues by the Russian tycoon. The sanction was imposed following the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. According to a report by L’Equipe, citing The Times, Abramovich has asked his lawyers to send a letter to the British government, contesting the freezing of these funds, which he wants to donate to victims of the war in Ukraine. In the letter sent by the Russian tycoon’s lawyers, “Mr. Abramovich categorically rejects the accusations and contests the investigation, which he believes is motivated by illegitimate political considerations.” The letter also states that Abramovich has “initiated legal proceedings against the Jersey government for misappropriation of funds and abuse of power.”

In addition to the 2.3 billion pounds derived from the sale of the club, the English authorities have reportedly also frozen another 5.3 billion pounds (6.12 billion euros) belonging to the assets of the former Blues owner. His lawyers have finally stated that the funds can only be donated to charitable causes after the charges are dismissed. The government wants all the funds to go to Ukraine, while the oligarch also intends to distribute them to war victims in Russia.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LISBON (ITALPRESS) – José Mourinho is still in the spotlight, and not only for his footballing exploits. Indeed, the comeback draw his Benfica side achieved last night against Porto left a lasting impression. The Special One, enraged and sent off at the end of the match for an uncalled penalty, lashed out violently at Lucho Gonzalez, assistant to Francesco Farioli, the Italian coach of Porto.

“The referee says he sent me off because I kicked a ball toward the Porto bench, but that’s false,” the former Inter and Roma manager said in an initial version of events. “I don’t know if it was three, four, or five balls, but I kicked them toward the stands to celebrate the goal we had just scored and therefore give a ball to a lucky fan,” Mourinho initially stated. “I know I’m not very good technically, but I told the fans,” Mourinho added at the press conference. “A member of the Porto bench, who was also sent off, called me a traitor. I’d like to ask him: ‘Traitor in relation to what?’. I coached at Porto, Chelsea, Inter… and I always gave my all. That’s called professionalism.” Mourinho then mentioned the name of the former Marseille midfielder: “Lucho (Gonzalez, ed.) called me a traitor. Not once, but 20, 30, 50 times. A traitor to whom? When he left for Marseille, was he a traitor? He could have insulted me in other ways. I was disappointed because he’s a coach like me,” he concluded.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

RIO DE JANEIRO (BRAZIL) (ITALPRESS) – A record 23 players were sent off after a brawl erupted between players on the pitch in Brazil’s Minas Gerais state championship final match between Cruzeiro and Atlético Mineiro at the Mineirão stadium in Belo Horizonte, prompting police intervention.

The referee’s report confirmed a total of 23 red cards (12 for Cruzeiro and 11 for Atlético Mineiro, including Hulk), specifying that many were not sent off directly on the pitch. According to referee Matheus Candançan, the confusion began with an incident between Cruzeiro’s Christian and Atlético’s goalkeeper Everson.

The report, cited by Globo Esporte, states that Everson “acted brutally” after being struck by the opposing midfielder in the Atlético penalty area. The goalkeeper’s reaction—he pushed Christian and sat on him with his knees—triggered a brawl.

Cruzeiro players rushed to confront Everson, sparking a series of mutual attacks involving several players. Security and military police intervention was necessary to calm the situation. Penalties were applied only after the final whistle, based on the official report.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Prime Minister Robert Abela said the ongoing Iran war has reinforced the importance of Malta’s constitutional neutrality, arguing that the policy protects the country from becoming involved in military conflicts.

Speaking during a political activity, Abela said recent developments showed why Malta should remain committed to the neutrality principle established in the Constitution, which explicitly prohibits foreign military bases on Maltese territory.

He recalled that Iran had targeted several countries hosting United States military bases following the escalation triggered by US-Iran strikes. According to the prime minister, this demonstrated how states hosting foreign military infrastructure could become direct targets during conflicts.

Abela said Malta’s “active neutrality” was therefore more relevant than ever in the current geopolitical climate.

The prime minister noted that there had been calls in the past to revise the neutrality clause in the Constitution but insisted that Malta must stand firm and safeguard the principle.

He argued that the government’s approach allows the country to maintain stability while avoiding exposure to military risks associated with international conflicts.

Abela also linked the situation to Malta’s energy policy, saying the government would maintain the energy subsidies introduced in 2022 despite global volatility caused by the conflict.

He reassured the public that electricity and fuel prices would not increase, insisting that the government would continue shielding households and businesses from rising international energy costs.

However, the prime minister did not specify how much public funding would be required to sustain the subsidies if global prices continue to rise.

Abela maintained that Malta’s “strong” economy and public finances would ensure that fiscal targets remain on track despite the additional pressure created by the war.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Twenty-six Maltese nationals and residents were evacuated from Qatar to Berlin, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ian Borg confirmed. The group departed Qatar on a Qatar Airways flight and arrived in Berlin yesterday at around 1:40pm. Authorities said the operation was carried out with the support of Qatari officials.

Borg said Qatar Airways assisted with the repatriation effort, while Qatar Tourism offered the passengers free accommodation upon arrival. “More Maltese are now safe,” Borg said, thanking all those involved in organising the evacuation. The evacuation comes days after Maltese authorities coordinated a separate operation from the United Arab Emirates. On Saturday, 187 Maltese citizens and residents were evacuated from the Gulf country. Both Qatar and the UAE host American military forces and are key locations in the Persian Gulf region. Officials said the government continues to monitor the situation while assisting Maltese nationals in the area.

– photo Foreign Ministry of Malta –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – Iraq’s crucial World Cup playoff match, scheduled for later this month, is expected to be postponed due to the escalation of the war in the Middle East, Iraqi national team coach Graham Arnold said. Iraq will face either Bolivia or Suriname in the Mexican city of Monterrey on March 31, and the winner of the intercontinental play-off will secure a spot in the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada starting June 11.

However, Iraq fears they will not be able to fly their players and staff to Mexico for the match due to travel restrictions in the Middle East, triggered by the conflict in neighboring Iran, which has led to the closure of Iraqi airspace since February 28. Arnold, who took over as Iraq’s national coach in May 2025, said that assembling a squad made up entirely of players from outside Iraq would hamper the country’s chances of qualifying for its first World Cup since 1986.

“It wouldn’t be our best team, and we need this one for the country’s most important match in 40 years,” the Australian coach explained. “The Iraqi people are so passionate about this sport, it’s incredible. The fact that they haven’t qualified for 40 years is probably the main reason I took this job.”

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

WOLFSBURG (GERMANY) (ITALPRESS) – In the wake of the home defeat against Hamburg, which further pins the German team to second-to-last place in the Bundesliga, the Wolfsburg Supervisory Board has relieved Sporting Director Peter Christiansen, who has been with the club since the summer of 2024.

“We thank Peter for his great commitment to Wolfsburg,” said Supervisory Board Chairman Sebastian Rudolph. “As Sporting Director, he successfully managed personnel changes in women’s football together with our Sporting Directorate. Unfortunately, the sporting results were lacking in the men’s team. Therefore, we have decided to end our collaboration with him.”

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Finance Minister Clyde Caruana said the government has a duty to shield Malta’s economy from the effects of the Iran war, insisting energy subsidies will remain in place even if the conflict triggers global economic shocks. Speaking a week after the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran that reportedly killed the country’s supreme leader, Caruana acknowledged the conflict has already unsettled global markets. Iran later retaliated with missile and drone attacks targeting US embassies, military bases and oil facilities across the Gulf region. Caruana said Malta will not be immune to the wider economic repercussions but stressed the government is prepared to mitigate the impact.

On energy and fuel prices, he said Malta has hedging agreements in place that protect the country from major shocks. While diesel supplies are not covered by such agreements, he said price fluctuations would not significantly affect the country’s finances. The minister argued the conflict differs from the war in Ukraine, noting that sufficient resources in the region could prevent a prolonged crisis. “We have the necessary buffers to absorb the impacts of this conflict,” he said, adding that even in a worst-case scenario the government should maintain subsidies rather than cut support. Caruana rejected the idea of more targeted subsidies, warning that scaling back assistance could undermine economic confidence. He also expressed confidence Malta could continue reducing its deficit while supporting consumers.

A spokesperson for the Energy Ministry said the government’s priority remains protecting families and businesses from international price shocks. Subsidies currently keep Maltese fuel prices below those in other European countries, with unleaded petrol at €1.34 per litre and diesel at €1.21. In tangible terms for Maltese consumers, the price of unleaded petrol is of €1.34 per litre, compared to Italy’s €1.67 per litre and Spain’s €1.49. In the case of diesel prices, Maltese consumers pay €1.21 per litre, whilst Italian and Spanish consumers pay €1.72 and €1.44 per litre, respectively. Meanwhile, Electrogas Malta said Malta’s LNG supply remains secure due to long-term agreements. The company noted shipments mainly originate from the Atlantic basin, meaning supplies are not dependent on routes through the Strait of Hormuz, where disruptions have been reported.

– photo Ministry of Finance of Malta –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LIVERPOOL (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – Ryan Gravenberch signs multi-year contract extension. Liverpool have officially announced the contract extension for the Dutch midfielder, who arrived at Anfield in 2023 from Bayern Munich.

“I’m really proud to extend my contract with such a great club, and I’m happy to be staying here for many more years,” said the 23-year-old international. “I feel the club and the coach have faith in me, and it was an easy decision for me. My family is also happy here. We’ve been here for almost three years and we know everything by now; we’re very happy. The short-term goal is to finish the season in the best possible way, and for the future, to win many more trophies with this team. I also have a great relationship with the fans; I hear the chants they dedicated to me and I thank them for their support. We want to make them happy by winning many more trophies.”

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MUNICH (GERMANY) (ITALPRESS) – Bayern Munich, which will play against Atalanta in Bergamo on Tuesday in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16, will almost certainly do so without Manuel Neuer. The Bavarian club announced that the goalkeeper suffered “a slight muscle tear in his left calf” yesterday against Mönchengladbach and “will therefore be unavailable for the time being,” according to a statement from Bayern. The German club is not giving further details on his recovery time, but it seems unlikely that Neuer will be back for Tuesday.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews