LONDON (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – Kevin Schade’s admirers are growing, and something could happen at the end of the season. The 24-year-old German winger is making a strong impression with Brentford (seven goals and three assists, with the Bees finishing seventh in the Premier League) and his value is rising. Under contract until 2028, the former Freiburg player – according to “Team Talk” – has been targeted by several clubs, most notably Bayern Munich, Tottenham, and Inter. Brentford is ready to set a high bar (there’s talk of a asking price that could range from 50 to 70 million euros), and under these conditions, the Bavarians could be the favorites, given that the Inter won’t go beyond certain figures, while Spurs wouldn’t be able to offer the player a European appearance next season given their difficult league position.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LONDON (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – Igor Tudor remains in his position for now, but his future at Tottenham is more uncertain than ever. The Croatian manager has failed to turn the tide for Spurs, who, defeated at home by Crystal Palace, are only one point clear of the relegation zone. Hired on February 13, Tudor has suffered three defeats in three games, and overall, Tottenham are winless in 11 Premier League games. This is why the club is looking elsewhere, both for the present and the future.

If they stay up, the “Telegraph” reports, the number one target for the position is Roberto De Zerbi, who previously managed Brighton across the Channel and is limited by his experience at Marseille. Another long-term solution could be Mauricio Pochettino, who is available to return after the World Cup, where he will lead the USA. Another former Tottenham player, Robbie Keane, is also being circulated. He already had a successful management career at Maccabi Tel Aviv and is now establishing himself at Ferencvaros. But the priority today is staying in the Premier League, and if Tudor fails to turn things around, Spurs could try the experience route with coaches like Harry Redknapp, Glenn Hoddle, and Tim Sherwood. Hoddle himself, 68, who was on the Tottenham bench from 2001 to 2003, has reportedly said he is ready to return: “I’ve been a Spurs fan since I was 8 years old; they’re a very important part of my life.”

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – An evacuation flight carrying 187 Maltese citizens stranded in the United Arab Emirates arrived safely at Malta International Airport early on Saturday morning.

The Airbus A330-300 touched down at 4.58am, bringing home Maltese nationals who had sought to leave the region following the outbreak of war in neighbouring Iran.

The flight was chartered and fully funded by the Maltese government as part of efforts to assist citizens affected by the growing regional conflict.

It departed Dubai’s Al Maktoum International Airport, also known as Dubai World Central, at around 1am—five hours later than originally planned.

Flight tracking data shows the aircraft travelled west across Saudi Arabia and Egypt before entering the Mediterranean and heading towards Malta.

Relatives gathered at the airport overnight, expressing relief as their loved ones disembarked safely after the long journey home.

Foreign Affairs Minister Ian Borg confirmed the successful operation in a Facebook post shortly after landing. “I’m very happy everything went well,” he wrote at 6.13am.

More than 1,650 Maltese nationals are known to live across the Middle East.

Since the outbreak of war, Borg said around 215 Maltese citizens requested consular assistance, including 169 based in the United Arab Emirates.

Diplomatic staff from Malta’s embassy in the UAE and officials from the Foreign Ministry spent the past week coordinating the evacuation. Preparations were kept ready so that evacuees could depart as soon as a flight slot became available.

Prime Minister Robert Abela reiterated Malta’s call for de-escalation as tensions in the Middle East continue to rise.

Speaking ahead of a Brussels summit later this month, Abela said Malta remains firmly in favour of dialogue and peace. “Our position remains clear in favour of de-escalation to allow for a dialogue of peace,” he said. Abela also warned that the conflict could have wider economic consequences, particularly due to rising global oil prices.

Meanwhile, several NGOs urged the government to ensure Malta’s infrastructure is not used to support military action against Iran.

– photo Malta Foreign Ministry –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LONDON (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – The FA Cup, his relationship with Eddie Howe, and Rodri’s return: these are the topics discussed by Pep Guardiola during the press conference preceding tomorrow’s match against Newcastle, a round of 16 tie in the domestic cup. “It’s very important to me,” said the Manchester City manager, speaking about the FA Cup and emphasizing the number of semifinals and finals reached in recent years, a symbol of the value he places on this competition. The goal of the match is clear: “to win and get through 100%.” ​​

This is the fifth meeting of the season between Guardiola and Eddie Howe, manager of the Magpies: their relationship was described as “really good” by the Spaniard, “we are rivals, but the pre- and post-match are totally different.” The topic of Rodri is also a hot topic. After tearing his cruciate ligament last season, he’s slowly regaining consistency and scoring, as in the last match against Nottingham Forest. “He’s finally returning to his pre-injury form, which is something we’ve all wanted for a long time,” Guardiola said. “But we have to be careful, especially in this period full of matches and tough trips like Madrid and London. We’ll use all our players.”

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MADRID (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – “Cristiano’s injury is more serious than we thought, he will return to Spain to undergo treatment from a personal therapist,” said Al Nassr manager Jorge Jesus, quoted by the Spanish newspaper “Marca,” in response to questions about the Portuguese star’s condition.

Although Ronaldo has not yet missed any matches, since the Asian Champions League matches have been postponed due to the conflict in the Middle East, Al Nassr will certainly have to do without him at least for the next match against Neom. The Saudi team’s medical report described the cause of the injury as “a hamstring injury” sustained in the match against Al-Fayha. Jorge Jesus hopes that CR7 “will return soon and be able to help the team.”

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

RABAT (MOROCCO) (ITALPRESS) – It is now official: Walid Regragui will not lead Morocco national football team to the next FIFA World Cup. The defeat in the final of the Africa Cup of Nations against Senegal national football team in Rabat on January 18 will remain his last match as head coach of the Atlas Lions.

The federation has entrusted the national team to Mohamed Ouahbi, previously coach of Morocco national under-20 football team, which won the world title last October.

“I am honored by the trust the federation has placed in me,” he said in his first comments. “We will work with rigor and humility, relying on a clear method and a collective ambition: to improve match after match, set high standards every day, help the team take a step forward and live up to the ambitions of His Majesty the King and the Moroccan people.”

Along with Ouahbi’s appointment—also with a view to the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which Morocco will co-host with Spain and Portugal (with an opening phase in South America)—the national team staff will also include João Sacramento, former assistant to José Mourinho at Tottenham Hotspur and AS Roma, and later to Christophe Galtier at Paris Saint-Germain.

Thus ends the Regragui era: the 50-year-old Moroccan coach had been appointed in August 2022 and, just a few months later in 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, achieved a historic fourth-place finish—the best result ever for an African national team at a World Cup.

– Photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Russian oil tanker Arctic Metagaz, which Moscow claims was damaged in recent days by Ukrainian marine drones, is still drifting in the Mediterranean and is moving ever closer to Malta, according to tracking data reported by Maltese media. The vessel, carrying LNG, was yesterday afternoon approximately 130 nautical miles off the coast of Malta. Authorities were first alerted Tuesday afternoon, when the vessel was reported in distress approximately 150 nautical miles offshore, just outside Malta’s search and rescue zone. Despite the severe damage, the tanker, believed to be part of Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet,” has not sunk and is being dragged westward by sea currents.

Weather forecasts indicate that winds in the coming days could push the vessel even closer to Maltese territorial waters. Local authorities are currently unable to intervene because the Russian vessel is in international waters. However, the situation could change if it were to enter Malta’s territorial waters. Russia attributed the explosion to Ukraine, calling it a “terrorist attack,” while Kiev has not responded to the accusation. Meanwhile, the 30 crew members were rescued and transferred to the Russian tanker Respect, which eventually reached Libya.

– Photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

WASHINGTON (UNITED STATES) (ITALPRESS) – Gianni Infantino has by now become a regular visitor, and Cristiano Ronaldo has also been a guest, as have Juventus. Therefore, Lionel Messi could not be missing either: the star of Major League Soccer and leader of the champions of Inter Miami CF (who won the MLS Cup against the Vancouver Whitecaps FC three months ago).

The Argentine superstar was the star of the evening at the White House together with his teammates and the entire delegation from the Miami franchise, all guests of Donald Trump who, despite the tense situation in the Middle East, found time to focus on “soccer.”

The President of the United States—presented with an autographed ball by the world champion—congratulated the team on its achievements and the Argentine forward for winning the award as the best player in the Major League Soccer for two consecutive years, but also for “choosing the United States and the beautiful climate of Miami. It is a huge privilege for me to be able to say something that no American president has ever had the opportunity to say before: welcome to the White House, Lionel Messi.”

Meanwhile, as the world wonders about the World Cup that the United States will host together with Canada and Mexico—another complicated situation due to the wave of violence following the killing of drug trafficker Nemesio Oseguera, known as “El Mencho”—Trump, who yesterday said he was “not at all interested” in the issue of Iran’s participation in the FIFA World Cup, also told Messi: “My son is a fan of yours and also admires Cristiano Ronaldo.”

As for the U.S. president himself, he recalled Pelé playing for the New York Cosmos: “Who is the greatest?” he asked those present.

– Photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

PARIS (FRANCE) (ITALPRESS) – “It would be a mistake to leave; I don’t think it would be the best thing for me. I’m very happy here at PSG.” Vitinha, speaking in an interview in Portugal, immediately dismissed any speculation about a future away from Paris Saint‑Germain.

The midfielder, formerly of FC Porto and Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C., has recently been linked with Real Madrid, and his contract reportedly includes a clause that would allow him to leave after the World Cup for €90 million.

“But in Paris people really care about me, and I feel I’ve earned that affection,” he said. “I like being here at PSG, and so does my family. We have a fantastic group and an incredible coach,” he added.

Even the prospect of a lucrative contract in Saudi Arabia does not tempt him. “I already earn very well here in Europe, at a great club. Doubling or tripling that salary wouldn’t make me any happier.”

– Photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Police have arrested four people, including two Italian nationals, in connection with the alleged importation of more than 12 kilograms of suspected cocaine from Sicily, with an estimated street value of € 600,000.
The arrests were made last Tuesday afternoon during an operation based on intelligence gathered by police.

Officers identified the two Italians—a 49-year-old man and a 42-year-old woman—arriving in Malta aboard a catamaran from Sicily with a vehicle. Police surveillance followed the pair as they travelled to Gudja, where they met two Maltese men, both aged 26.

Authorities then intercepted the vehicle and detained all four individuals. A search of the car confirmed police suspicions, with officers discovering the suspected cocaine hidden inside a concealed compartment. Magistrate Franco Agius has been informed of the case and has opened an inquiry. The four suspects are being held at the Floriana police lock-up and are expected to be arraigned before Magistrate Donatella Frendo Dimech.

– Photo Malta Police –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews