ISTANBUL (TURKEY) (ITALPRESS) – The Berke Ozer scandal has exploded in Turkey. Recruited by Vincenzo Montella for the World Cup qualifiers, the Lille goalkeeper—a key figure in the Europa League against Roma with three penalty saves, two from Dovbyk and one from Soulè—“left the training camp on his own initiative, without the permission of the coaching staff and management, upon the delegation’s return to Istanbul after yesterday’s Bulgaria-Turkey match, justifying his decision by the failure to be called up for the match.” This was reported in a statement by the Turkish Football Federation, the day after the trip to Sofia.

Ozer, however, disagrees and provides his version of events via Instagram. The goalkeeper revealed that before joining the training camp, he had informed the staff that he wasn’t at his best.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – A group of more than 100 people on a boat within Malta’s search-and-rescue (SAR) zone reported being fired upon by the Libyan coastguard on Sunday afternoon, according to NGO Alarm Phone.

Alarm Phone, which operates a hotline for migrants crossing the Mediterranean, said the distress call came at around 1.30pm from a vessel carrying some 113 people, located roughly 90 nautical miles southeast of Malta. “The people report they are being shot at by the so-called Libyan Coastguard right now!” the NGO wrote on social media, urging European authorities to act immediately to stop the attack and bring those on board to safety.

Malta’s SAR area, one of the largest in the Mediterranean, overlaps with its flight information region — a remnant of British rule. But NGOs often accuse Malta and Italy of slow responses to migrant distress calls while deepening cooperation with Libya to curb arrivals. Rights groups have repeatedly documented abuses against migrants in Libya, where rival governments and militias control different regions. Despite this instability, EU member states continue to rely on Libyan authorities to intercept migrant boats before they reach European waters. Malta has long argued that migration management requires regional coordination, though critics say its approach overlooks humanitarian obligations.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta has maintained its A (high) credit rating with a stable outlook from international agency Morningstar DBRS, which praised the country’s eurozone membership, strong external position, and resilient banking sector.

Prime Minister Robert Abela welcomed the decision, calling it “a testament to our economy’s resilience.” He said Malta’s choice to avoid austerity “is paying off,” as economic growth continues to support deficit and debt reduction.

The rating keeps Malta’s long- and short-term ratings at A (high) and R-1 (middle). However, DBRS warned that high government spending remains a concern. Malta’s deficit stood at 3.6% of GDP in 2024, well above the EU average of 2.1%, and is projected to narrow only gradually in the coming years.

New household support measures and ongoing energy subsidies are slowing fiscal consolidation. The subsidies alone are forecast to cost 0.7% of GDP in 2025.

After years of rapid growth, Malta’s economy is cooling. Real GDP expanded by 6.8% in 2024 but slowed to 3.1% in early 2025. The Central Bank expects growth to average around 3.5% through 2027. Tourism remains robust, with arrivals up 12.1% in the first seven months of 2025.

Public debt remains moderate at 46.2% of GDP but is expected to approach 49% by 2026. The banking system is strong but heavily exposed to real estate, with property-related loans making up 71.5% of all resident bank lending.

Morningstar DBRS noted that while Malta performs in line with EU peers on rule of law, it lags in government effectiveness and corruption control. The country remains under an EU excessive deficit procedure launched in 2024.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

BELGRADE (SERBIA) (ITALPRESS) – Dragan Stojkovic is no longer the coach of Serbia. The coach resigned after yesterday’s home defeat to Albania, in a 2026 World Cup qualifying match. The possibility of the play-offs is also fading for the Serbians, and Stojkovic has assumed his responsibilities by resigning.

The Federation announced that it has entrusted the team to former Juventus defender Zoran Mirkovic, coach of the Under-21 team, who will lead the senior team in the match on Tuesday the 14th in Andorra. The Football Association of Serbia also announced that its board of directors will meet on Friday the 17th to make all decisions related to the national team.

“The Serbian Football Federation would like to take this opportunity to express its gratitude to Dragan Stojkovic for everything he has done over the past four and a half years leading the national team, particularly in qualifying for the World Cup and European Championships, as well as in securing first place in Division B of the Nations League and maintaining its status among the elite of European football,” the federation statement concludes.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MONTE CARLO (MONACO) (ITALPRESS) – Having dismissed Adi Huetter, Monaco has officially appointed Sebastien Pocognoli as manager. The 38-year-old Belgian coach, who has signed a contract until June 2027, arrives from Union Saint-Gilloise, whom he led to the league title (their first title in 90 years) and the Belgian Super Cup last season. Under his guidance, Union Saint-Gilloise were top of the table after the first 10 matchdays and on three points in the Champions League thanks to a 3-1 win at PSV. According to “L’Equipe,” Monaco paid the Belgian club one million euros to release Pocognoli.

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(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

PARIS (FRANCE) (ITALPRESS) – After calling up Mateta and Thauvin, Didier Deschamps is forced to make further additions. A thigh problem has sidelined Ibrahima Konatè, and for Monday’s World Cup qualifier against Iceland, the coach has called up Benjamin Pavard, formerly of Inter Milan and now at Marseille, who was called up last month to replace Saliba.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

BRUSSELS (BELGIUM) (ITALPRESS) – Alexis Saelemaekers will not play against Wales. The Belgian Football Association announced this, explaining on social media that the player’s medical tests have ruled him out of the World Cup qualifying match against Wales, scheduled for Monday the 13th. Belgium coach Rudi Garcia will therefore not have him available, and the AC Milan winger’s condition will be monitored ahead of the match awaiting Allegri’s Rossoneri, who are scheduled to play Fiorentina on Sunday the 19th.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

PARIS (FRANCE) (ITALPRESS) – Captain and icon of Paris Saint-Germain, Marquinhos could decide to end his long French adventure at the end of the season. The 31-year-old Brazilian center-back, moreover, is no longer considered unsellable by the club, which last summer secured Ukrainian Illya Zabarnyj for the role. According to “L’Equipe,” Marquinhos—currently sidelined with a muscle injury and having made just three appearances this season—could continue his career in Saudi Arabia.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – A Malta Air flight from Pisa to Glasgow narrowly avoided disaster after coming within six minutes of running out of fuel mid-air during Storm Amy. The Ryanair-operated flight, bound for Glasgow Prestwick Airport on 3 October, was battered by winds reaching 100mph, making multiple failed landing attempts. After unsuccessful approaches at both Prestwick and Edinburgh, the crew declared an emergency with a 7700 squawk code and diverted to Manchester.

The aircraft finally landed safely almost two hours after its first arrival attempt in Scotland — but with only 220kg of fuel remaining, enough for barely five or six minutes of flying time, according to The Daily Mail. Ryanair has reported the incident to UK aviation authorities, who have launched an investigation. Malta Air, once partially owned by the Maltese government, was fully divested last year when the state sold its remaining rights to the airline name for €25,000 under the terms of its original agreement.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

PARIS (FRANCE) (ITALPRESS) – After yesterday’s opening-goal victory against Azerbaijan, Kylian Mbappé left the France training camp last night. The Real Madrid striker suffered an ankle injury and was substituted in the 83rd minute (former Udinese player Thauvin came on, also scoring in the 3-0 goal, after AC Milan’s Rabiot had scored the second goal).

However, according to AS, his condition is not considered particularly worrying by Real Madrid, who are obviously awaiting the tests the player will undergo, as his ankle was already sore after last Saturday’s match against Villarreal. “I want to play. The French national team is the most important thing. The coach knows I want to play and there are no particular concerns,” he said before yesterday’s match against the Azerbaijanis. Last night, the French national team’s medical staff, after initial assessments, in agreement with Deschamps, decided to allow Mbappé to return to Madrid. Therefore, the French captain will not be playing in Iceland.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews