LOS ANGELES (UNITED STATES) (ITALPRESS) – Christian Pulisic has to deal with Mauricio Pochettino. The United States coach, according to the US press, did not at all appreciate the behavior of the AC Milan player who had only made himself available for the two pre-Gold Cup friendlies with Turkey and Switzerland, but not for the continental tournament, and was then excluded from both things.

“I respect his decision, but I do not understand it and those who question my commitment to the national team do not know what they are talking about”, the words of Pulisic himself to CBS Sports microphones, after the criticism of some former internationals. Pochettino, however, returned to the subject on the eve of his debut in the Gold Cup against Trindidad and Tobago.

“The players must not understand or not understand, they must listen and stick to the decisions. They are not the ones who can dictate the plans of the national team – the words of the Argentine coach in the press conference -. The decision not to call him in the two friendlies we explained, it is not my problem if someone did not understand. I am the coach, not a mannequin”.

Pulisic reportedly asked to be excused from the tournament to rest after a long season with Milan. “It’s true that he wanted to participate in the two friendlies, but for us the Gold Cup is an important tournament and we wanted him available for both the tests and the competition. I love communicating with my players, but at the same time I want all the players to have the same respect towards the technical staff. If someone doesn’t like it, I take note of it”.

In addition to Pulisic, the United States will also have to give up, among others, Weston McKennie, Timothy Weah and Yunus Musah.

– Photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) – Malta has signed what is being hailed as a historic agreement for the opening of a United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) within the Global Maritime Centre in Valletta.

The new office will form part of the Global Centre for Maritime Security and Sanctions Monitoring (GCMSM), an international initiative aimed at strengthening maritime oversight and integrity. According to a government statement, the UNODC will operate independently within the centre, particularly focusing on the Sanctions Monitoring sector based in Malta.

The agreement was signed in Vienna by Malta’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Ian Borg, and UNODC Executive Director Ghada Waly.

The collaboration will see the UNODC providing support to Malta’s GCMSM operations in coordination with Antigua and Barbuda in the coming months. This partnership marks the first international centre of its kind dedicated to real-time maritime monitoring.

The Malta-based UNODC office will play a key role in helping authorities identify vessels involved in illicit activities, including smuggling and sanctions evasion. Through the Euro MUSE initiative, the centre will offer technical expertise to aid in investigations and the prosecution of maritime crimes.

Officials say this development significantly strengthens Malta’s position as a leader in global maritime security.

Photo: DOI

Source: medNews

ZURICH (SWITZERLAND) (ITALPRESS) – Robbie Williams has been confirmed as the Fifa Music Ambassador ahead of the Fifa Club World Cup 2025. The global singer-songwriter confirmed that he has written and recorded a new Official Fifa anthem, entitled ‘Desire’.

The official track will debut in full ahead of the Fifa Club World Cup’s opening match on Saturday 14 June, before being used in all Fifa tournaments going forward, including the Fifa World Cup 2026 and beyond. As Fifa’s Music Ambassador, Robbie Williams has invited the famed Italian artist, Laura Pausini, to feature on the new song.

“I’ve grown up watching the walk-outs, the anthems, the drama – so writing and recording the official FIFA anthem is a real privilege“, Robbie Williams said. “It’s an honour for me to be invited to join Robbie Williams and be featured on the song ’Desire’, written by Robbie”, Laura Pausini ended.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

NAPLES (ITALPRESS) – “Napoli and I share the same ambition. I think it’s the right project for me and I will work to ensure that I can give my contribution to winning”. These are the words of Napoli‘s new midfielder, Kevin De Bruyne, in a video published on the club’s social media. “I’m excited, it is something that is very new for me, I lived in England for 10 years, but I think it is going to be a nice experience for me, for my family, and I’m looking forward to it”, added the Belgian, who arrived in Naples as a free agent after the end of his contract with Manchester City.

“I’m a winner, I want to win games. I’ve always been like this, I hate losing”, said. “The team won the Scudetto last year, so they are in the Champions League. I’m hopeful that we can create something good for the future together”. “The team wants to win, they are ambitious, it looks like a really good team put together, so for me it was a really nice project to come into and hopefully I can help the team get their ambitions through”, he concluded.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MIAMI (UNITED STATES) (ITALPRESS) – The European Club Association in Miami. The association that includes the teams of the Old Continent met in the Florida city on the eve of the Club World Cup.

Executive Committee meeting to the agenda “close the 2024/25 European football season, assess key developments in the international football landscape and discuss priority issues for the organisation and its over 770 member clubs ahead of a historic summer for world football. The discussion included a detailed update on the positive impact of the new formats of the Champions League, Europa League and Conference. The new League phases have seen an increased number of clubs participate, with 15 new clubs competing and 144 unique matches. Competition on the pitch has increased – with more goals scored, on average every 90 seconds, and 3 goals per match – and, as a result, has attracted record attendances, with a 71% increase in views across both competitions. The ExCo discussed in particular the continued growth and success of the Conference League, which offers competitive opportunities to a greater number of ECA member clubs, and the upcoming 2025/26 women’s club football season, which will include a new format for the Women’s Champions League and the long-awaited introduction of the UEFA Women’s Europa Cup”.

There was also talk of an increasingly congested calendar: “The ECA and its clubs are participating in the UEFA player workload study”. Following the executive committee meeting, the ECA and FIFA organised a meeting with key global stakeholders, including FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Conmebol Alejandro Dominguez, FIFA’s global football development chief Arsène Wenger and representatives of the confederations and all 11 ECA member clubs that will be competing in the tournament.

“The ECA has been working closely with FIFA to deliver benefits to all clubs from the tournament, including a planned allocation of $250 million in solidarity funds for teams that are not competing in the competition”.

“ECA is delighted to be in Miami and support the new Club World Cup,” said PSG and Association President Nasser Al–Khelaïfi. “We are a long-standing partner of FIFA and, together, we are committed to a strategy that will support the growth of men’s and women’s club football globally. ECA has supported this tournament from its inception. We believe it will become a historic competition and will bring tangible benefits to all clubs, with an expected contribution of $250 million in solidarity for non-participating clubs. We wish President Infantino and his administration every success in organizing this first edition here in the United States.”

“We are proud to work alongside our participating member clubs to help shape the success of this tournament and to ensure that the embedded solidarity commitments benefit clubs across Europe and all regions, in support of the continued development of our sport,” concluded Al-Khelaifi, while FIFA No. 1 Gianni Infantino added: “We signed the Memorandum of Understanding with the ECA from 2023 to 2030, an agreement that has brought stability to football, as we have found a balance between club and national team football around the world. As with the Uruguay National Team World Cup in 1930, this is a historic tournament for clubs, with so many players, teams and nations ready to shine on the world stage.”

– Photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

LONDON (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – Paul Pogba could start again from Monaco. According to the BBC, the 32-year-old French midfielder is in negotiations with the Monte Carlo club and is moving towards a two-year contract. For the former Juventus player it would be a return, after the long suspension for doping and the termination of the contract with the bianconero club.

-Photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – European Parliament President Roberta Metsola has confirmed she will not contest the Nationalist Party (PN) leadership, citing her full commitment to her European responsibilities.

In a Facebook post, Metsola addressed growing speculation following Bernard Grech’s resignation. While many within the party urged her to run, Metsola said she could not divide her focus between leading the PN and serving as European Parliament President.

“Ten months ago, I was re-elected to this role, which I cannot abandon halfway,” she stated. Metsola emphasized her dedication to Malta, to the European Parliament, and to those who elected her.

She revealed that she had explored ways to contribute to the PN without compromising her current post but ultimately concluded that the two responsibilities were incompatible.

Though stepping back from a leadership bid, Metsola pledged to support the next PN leader “more than ever before” in strengthening the party and preparing for future elections.

“There is no greater political ambition than becoming Prime Minister,” she acknowledged, “but responsibility must come before ambition.”

Metsola said she expects criticism and misinformation from political opponents but remains determined to continue working for Malta’s reputation on the European stage.

– Photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

MIAMI (UNITED STATES) (ITALPRESS) – He will be the one to open the dance. And that’s no small thing. Lionel Messi is one of the greatest in history and despite his 37 years and a career studded with trophies he has won, he is enthusiastically living the Club World Cup that his Inter Miami will open, playing the opening match against Al Ahly at the Hard Rock Stadium.

“It’s an interesting competition. Having the chance to be part of it is exciting,” Messi told Fifa. “My expectations are different from those I had when I played for other teams, but I’m impatient and I can’t wait to compete against the best teams and do well,” explained the former Barcelona player who conquered Major League Soccer after moving to Inter Miami in 2023. He led the Herons to a record 74 points, winning the MLS Supporters’ Shield and ensuring the team’s qualification for the Club World Cup.

“I think there are very important teams in this tournament, from all over the world, and this moves a lot of people everywhere,” Messi said. “We are talking about great teams, with very important players that people love to watch. It is a great opportunity to see the best players play here in the United States. It is a great opportunity to face them and a really enjoyable experience for both the players on the pitch and the fans in the stands.”

– Photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta has officially joined the Clean Energy Marine Hubs (CEM-Hubs) Initiative, aligning with countries like Canada, Norway, and Greece in advancing the use of low-carbon fuels across the maritime sector. This global initiative focuses on accelerating the production, transportation, and adoption of cleaner energy solutions.

Minister for Energy Miriam Dalli expressed Maltàs pride in participating in this international collaboration, calling it a “transformative step” toward a more sustainable future. She emphasized that the initiative will allow Malta to exchange best practices, align policies with global standards, and attract investments in low-emission fuel infrastructure.
Dalli highlighted that this move directly supports the Malta 2050 Vision, particularly its first pillar of sustainable economic growth in sectors like innovation, financial services, and maritime industries.

Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Public Works Minister Chris Bonett added that Maltàs involvement demonstrates its dedication to leading innovation in the maritime sector. He stressed that joining CEM-Hubs provides Malta with an opportunity to contribute to shaping the future of clean maritime energy alongside key international players.
The CEM-Hubs Initiative, co-led by governments and major industry bodies such as the International Chamber of Shipping and the International Association of Ports & Harbours, aims to make clean energy hubs more accessible and reduce investment risks globally.

– Foto IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

COMO (ITALPRESS) – A twenty-five million euro deal, never in its history has Como invested so much for a player. After all, the rich Indonesian owners of the white-blue club do not want to set limits, and the arrival of Martin Baturina is just the first piece of a market that aims to significantly strengthen Cesc Fabregas’ team.

“I’m happy to be here, I can’t wait to get started”, the first words of the Croatian attacking midfielder, who left Dinamo Zagreb to land in Italy today, where he will sign a five-year contract with Como in these hours. Twenty-three years old, one of the brightest talents in European football, Baturina has wasted no time, already undergoing medical tests. While waiting to find out the fate of Nico Paz – Real Madrid has the possibility of exercising the right to buy until the end of June, and for now nothing has moved -, Como already has another new star.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews