TANGIER (MOROCCO) (ITALPRESS) – Como striker Assane Diao will not be eligible for the Africa Cup of Nations. The Senegalese Football Federation announced in a statement on its website that “following an injury sustained while playing for his club on Monday, December 15, 2025, the player joined the national team in Dakar on December 18, 2025. Medical tests conducted today by the national team’s medical staff revealed a lesion to the biceps femoris in his right thigh, which has led to his withdrawal from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. The Senegalese Football Federation wishes Assane Diao a speedy recovery and hopes to see him back on the pitch as soon as possible.” Diao was injured in the match against Roma and was forced off in the 37th minute of the match at the Olimpico.

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(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

PALERMO (ITALPRESS) – A golden generation aiming to break a long-standing curse, backed by a nation ready to push its heroes toward glory. But there is more: revamped stadiums, increasingly modern infrastructure and a tournament that represents more than just a test run ahead of the historic 2030 milestone. In Morocco, the countdown is in its final days for the 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled from December 21 to January 18. Six host cities—Agadir, Casablanca, Fez, Marrakech, Rabat and Tangier—and nine venues (three of them in the capital) are set to welcome a sea of fans.

“To date, we have sold more than one million tickets,” Omar Khyari, adviser to Moroccan FA president Fouzi Lekjaa, told Italpress. “Thirty percent of those sales come from abroad. Based on these figures, we can expect more than 400,000 attendees. Current projections, which also include those traveling for the year-end holidays, indicate that one million tourists will visit our country. How are we preparing? With the legendary hospitality Moroccans are known for. Our nine stadiums offer all the necessary comfort, as do the eight official fan zones.”

The government has opted for a big-ticket approach, upgrading stadiums—Tangier’s venue had already undergone a first revamp in 2020, with a further renovation completed in September—and investing in transport links, from the expansion of Tanger Med to the high-speed rail line that is expected to extend to Marrakech by 2030. In five years’ time, another major date looms: the World Cup, which Morocco will co-host with Spain and Portugal, alongside a number of matches in South America. “The Africa Cup of Nations will be a celebration for the whole of Africa, but it will also serve as a crucial dress rehearsal for the 2030 World Cup,” Khyari confirmed. “We will continue to refine our infrastructure.”

The tournament is also expected to act as a powerful economic driver. “It is forecast to generate an immediate financial boost, thanks to the massive influx of fans. Experts estimate additional revenues of between 5 and 12 billion dirhams (roughly €460 million to more than €1 billion).” On the pitch, the host nation are the clear favorites, although there remains a question mark over Achraf Hakimi, who is racing against time to recover from an ankle injury.

The Atlas Lions are enjoying the best period in their history, not only because of their remarkable run to the semifinals at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Walid Regragui’s side—the first African national team to qualify for next year’s World Cup—boasts quality and talent and has long set its sights on a trophy won only once, in 1976, and narrowly missed in 2004, when Morocco lost the final to Tunisia. Lifting the cup in front of home fans would be the icing on the cake for a movement growing on all fronts, as shown by the Olympic bronze medal in Paris with the Under-23s and recent successes at the Under-17 World Cup and the Arab Cup.

Competition, however, will be fierce: from defending champions Ivory Coast to Mohamed Salah’s Egypt, eager for redemption after his break with Liverpool; from teams set to feature in the United States next summer—Algeria, Senegal, South Africa and Tunisia (with Ghana and Cape Verde failing to qualify)—to those still harbouring hopes, such as Congo, and others seeking consolation after missing out on the 2026 World Cup, like Nigeria with Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, or Cameroon led by Bryan Mbeumo.

“Morocco has now consolidated its place among the world’s top national teams in the FIFA rankings,” Khyari concluded. “The results we have achieved push us to maintain the highest standards of excellence. But while our national team may be the favorite on paper, it will strive to confirm that status with ambition and humility. There are other nations with the talent to succeed, including reigning champions Ivory Coast, as well as Egypt, Nigeria, Senegal and our neighbours Algeria and Tunisia. And then there are formidable sides such as Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burkina Faso.” The time for predictions, however, is over: from tomorrow, the pitch will have its say.

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Source: medNews

MADRID (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – “From the beginning and from the first conversations we have had a close relationship, of trust, respect and affection. We know what the project is and what the objectives are. The demand is maximum, but it’s a long road; there will be good and not so good moments. We’re on the verge of the last game to finish the year well and start the next one with determination.” Xabi Alonso, who seems firmly back in his place, assures us that he is in perfect harmony with the club, aware that a club like Real Madrid “always aims for the best, we know what the objective is. How we get there is crucial, but we are all united, from the president to the players, to achieve it in the best possible way. What grade do I give myself? It’s not for me to say, and then the grades are given at the end of the season.”

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(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

OSLO (NORWAY) (ITALPRESS) – Norwegian football is in mourning: former coach Aage Hareide has passed away at the age of 72, suffering from a brain tumor. A former defender, who played for Manchester City and Norwich in England, he was manager in Norway (Molde and Rosenborg), Denmark (Broendby), and Sweden (Malmo and Helsingborg).

As coach, he led Norway from 2003 to 2008, then Denmark from 2015 to 2019, taking part in the World Cup in Russia, and finally Iceland, from April 2023 to November 2004, when he resigned announcing his retirement. His last coaching role was the 1-0 friendly victory over England at Wembley in June last year.

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(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LONDON (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – No misjudgment: Arsenal fans will soon see the real Viktor Gyokeres. Mikel Arteta has no doubts, even though the 27-year-old Swedish striker – signed for more than €70 million – has so far scored just six goals in 19 appearances, delivering a subdued performance in the recent last-gasp win over Wolverhampton.

“The level of attention on him hasn’t changed from the day he signed to now; that’s normal,” the Gunners’ manager said. “Everyone was very excited about signing a centre-forward, and we brought in a player with an incredible scoring record who needed to adapt to the league. But he didn’t have a pre-season: the first few weeks were difficult because physically he wasn’t at his best, and he’s a player who, like almost everyone in this league, needs to be at peak condition to perform at that level. Then he improved, had a very good spell and got injured,” Arteta recalled.

“Now I’ve seen many positive things in the last two matches he’s played. We need to understand him a bit better in certain situations, and he needs to do the same. But that takes time, and he has our full support.”

For Arteta, the best is yet to come: “Living up to the expectations of joining a big club is different from imagining them. His energy levels and commitment are absolutely top-class and we’re all here to help him, because we’ve all been through it: time is needed. There are always periods when strikers score more goals and others when they score fewer. We have to stay close to him.”

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(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LONDON (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – There is no “curse.” Scott McTominay is one of those players who has grown significantly after leaving Manchester United, as have Rasmus Højlund, Marcus Rashford and Antony, to name a few. But it is not the Red Devils’ fault if some players find success elsewhere.

“It’s simply too easy to say that we left Manchester United and now we’re doing well,” the Scottish midfielder told CBS Sports in defense of his former club. “Last year I did well: I scored 10 goals and we won the league. With Marcus (Rashford), obviously, there were different issues, but Marcus is a great player and always has been. He’s one of the club’s legends, he’s scored so many goals for Manchester United and done so many great things. Clearly, when players leave and play more matches, their confidence grows and they feel better about themselves compared to when they play fewer minutes at Manchester United. When you’re at United, you have to earn those minutes, like Bruno Fernandes, who has done incredible things.”

“I simply think it’s too easy to blame Manchester United as a club, because when I was there they did everything for me,” McTominay added, having come through the Red Devils’ youth system. “They helped me with nutrition, training, tactics, regardless of who the coach was. Everything is put in place to help you succeed. It’s not that they don’t do certain things that other clubs do. It’s a false myth that you leave and become a better player: in the end, it’s about confidence. If you leave and play every single match and score, and then score again, you feel good about yourself.”

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(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – “It’s just speculation.” Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca responded to recent transfer rumors in a press conference on the eve of their Champions League match against Newcastle, addressing transfer rumors in recent days, in which his name has been linked with Manchester City and Juventus.

“Me replacing Pep Guiardiola? It doesn’t concern me at all: it’s 100% speculation. There’s no time for that right now: first and foremost, because I have a contract here at Chelsea until 2029. I’ve said it many times: my attention is solely focused on this club, and I’m very proud to be here,” Maresca clarified.

“Last week, in Italy, there were the same rumors about Juventus. I don’t pay attention to them, because I know they’re not true. Now it’s important to understand why certain rumors are coming out. But that’s not my job, I’m not interested at all. I have nothing to add,” the Italian manager concluded.

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Source: medNews

DOHA (QATAR) (ITALPRESS) – The Moroccan national football team won the 2025 FIFA Arab Cup on Thursday evening at the Lusail Stadium in Doha, defeating Jordan 3-2 after extra time in a hard-fought and action-packed final. The Atlas Lions took the lead early, as early as the fourth minute, thanks to a stunning long-range strike by Oussama Tannane.

Jordan then turned the tables with a brace from Ali Olwan (48th and 68th minutes, from a penalty), putting the Moroccans under pressure. Demonstrating great character, Morocco leveled the scoreline with three minutes remaining in regulation time through Abderrazak Hamdallah, before the former MAS Fez player scored the decisive goal in the first half of extra time (100th minute).

At a press conference, Moroccan coach Tarik Sektioui hailed a victory achieved “against tough opponents and top-level players,” emphasizing the challenges of preparation and absences, as well as the “commitment, sacrifices, and tactical and technical qualities” of his players.

For his part, Jordan coach Jamal Sellami, also a Moroccan national, along with his coaching staff, congratulated the Atlas Lions, highlighting the quality of the performance put on by both teams.

This latest success confirms the high level achieved by Moroccan football, which has racked up numerous triumphs at the continental and international levels in recent years. Against this backdrop, Morocco is now preparing to inaugurate the Africa Cup of Nations on December 21, a competition hosted by the Kingdom and in which the national team is among the main title favorites.

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Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – Clashes between fans marred the second leg of the Copa Colombia final. At the final whistle, supporters of Atlético Nacional and Independiente Medellin invaded the pitch, and violent clashes erupted. According to “El Colombiano,” 59 people were injured at the Atanasio Girardot Stadium in Medellin. Seven police officers who intervened to quell the clashes were among the injured.

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Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta on Friday welcomed an EU agreement to jointly borrow funds for Ukraine, reaffirming its long-standing support for political and financial assistance that fully complies with international law, EU principles and the country’s constitutional neutrality.

Prime Minister Robert Abela outlined Malta’s position during a European Council meeting in Brussels, where EU leaders agreed on a joint borrowing instrument to finance Ukraine’s needs over the next two years, providing predictability and financial stability.

Throughout negotiations, Abela stressed that any Maltese contribution must respect neutrality enshrined in the Constitution, a stance formally recognised in the summit’s adopted conclusions.

In a statement after the meeting, the government said Malta remained in favour of support for Ukraine “through instruments that conform to international and EU law,” quoting Abela as saying the agreement respected the principles Malta had consistently underscored.

Malta had opposed proposals to use seized Russian assets to guarantee a reparations loan, under which it could have been exposed to guarantees of about €170 million. Along with other member states, it urged further examination of alternative approaches compliant with EU and international law.

EU leaders, after overnight talks, failed to agree on using Russian assets to back a €90 billion reparations loan, instead settling on joint EU debt to fund Ukraine. The loan will be interest-free, with repayment envisaged from any future reparations paid by Russia.

Leaders also discussed the Middle East, with Abela warning that the situation remains highly fragile and calling on the EU to use its diplomatic weight to ensure agreed peace measures are implemented without delay.

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(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews