BASEL (SWITZERLAND) (ITALPRESS) – Stephan Lichtsteiner is the new head coach of FC Basel. The 42-year-old former Lazio, Juventus, and Swiss national team player has signed a contract until the summer of 2029 with the Swiss club, where he trained as a coach, coaching the Under-15 and Under-16 teams. In the summer of 2024, he turned professional, taking over as head coach of FC Wettswil-Bonstetten.

“We’ve known Stephan since the youth academy, where I worked directly with him for over two years,” said sporting director Daniel Stucki. “He’s very tactically prepared and has always given his teams an identity, improving them as a team. We know he’s joining us at a difficult time, with crucial matches coming up soon. And this without any real experience as a professional coach. But our main goal is to plan long-term and sustainably. Stephan is familiar with high-pressure situations from his playing days, and although he hasn’t yet coached a top-level team, we have full confidence in him for this task. He’s meticulous and a perfectionist with a clear plan. Furthermore, he has an extraordinary winning mentality, which will be a great help to us in the current situation.”

“I’m very confident in FC Basel’s long-term vision and am therefore delighted to be part of it,” said Stephan Lichtsteiner. “This move comes a little earlier than expected, but given the current situation, I immediately wanted to accept this challenge at this fantastic club. I’m confident that together we can achieve great things.”

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ZURICH (SWITZERLAND) (ITALPRESS) – FIFA, togheter Global Transfer Report website, which offers users an interactive platform to explore detailed transfer data from every association worldwide, has published its annual transfer transactions report. In 2025, 86,158 international player transfers were completed, a record in both professional and amateur football, both men’s and women’s. For the first time ever, clubs’ spending on transfer fees surpassed the $10 billion mark, setting a new record with a total of $13.11 billion, over 50% higher than the spend in 2024 and 35.6% higher than the previous record, set in 2023. In men’s professional football, English clubs confirmed their position as both the top spenders and the top earners of transfer fees, with $3.82 billion spent on incoming transfers (followed by Germany with $1.28 $ billion, Italy with $1.20 billion, France with $953.4 $ million), and Saudi Arabia with $906.9 million) and $1.77 billion received on outgoing transfers in 2025.

French clubs follow with $1.71 billion, followed by German clubs ($1.49 billion), then Italy ($1.10 billion) and Spain ($929.1 million). In terms of total transfers, Brazilian clubs led first with 1,190 incoming and 1,005 outgoing. The number of clubs investing in incoming transfers also grew, reaching a record 1,214 clubs in 2025. Similarly, the number of clubs that received a transfer fee for at least one outgoing transfer, 1,495, set a new record.

“These figures,” FIFA emphasizes, “clearly demonstrate the remarkable progress in women’s football, with an ever-increasing number of players turning professional. In 2025, approximately 2,440 international transfers of professional players were recorded, a 6.3% increase compared to 2024.” Regarding the transactions concluded in the amateur football world, 59,162 transfers were recorded in 2025 of players joining a new club abroad, a new record and 9.4% more than the previous year.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta International Airport (MIA) has started work on a major expansion of its eastern wing, a project set for completion by 2028.

The development will add a new 6,000-square-metre terminal connected to the existing building, forming part of a €345 million, four-year investment programme. Once finished, the airport will be able to handle up to 2,500 departing passengers per hour.

The new departures area will include five boarding gates, one crew gate and about 1,000 square metres of circulation space. A further 1,300 square metres of circulation space will support 32 additional check-in desks, while a state-of-the-art baggage handling system will expand sorting capacity.

MIA said the project is designed to improve operational efficiency and passenger comfort, particularly during peak summer periods. CEO Alan Borg said the expansion aims to “elevate the departure experience” through upgraded facilities and smoother passenger flows.

Borg stressed the focus was not solely on increasing passenger numbers but also on improving service standards. The new terminal will incorporate Maltese architectural elements, including limestone arches, extensive natural light and sustainable design features.

Prime Minister Robert Abela inaugurated the project, describing it as a key investment in Malta’s long-term resilience and competitiveness. He said the airport plays a central role in tourism, trade and international engagement.

Abela added that the expansion aligns with the government’s Malta Vision 2050 framework, due to be launched in the coming weeks.

“This project reflects what we can achieve when public institutions and private enterprise work together,” he said, calling the airport “the first and last impression” visitors have of the country.

-Photo DOI-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Maltese civil rights organization Repubblika held a vigil yesterday evening in front of the US Embassy in Ta’ Qali, warning that alleged abuses related to immigration enforcement in the US risk eroding democratic norms globally.

Repubblika emphasized that practices such as mass detentions, deportations, and family separations undermine the rule of law and set dangerous international precedents. Addressing attendees, Repubblika President Vicki Ann Cremona stated that the United States is experiencing levels of state cruelty “once deemed incompatible with a liberal democracy.”

Cremona referred to reported deaths in detention and the treatment of children “considered administrative problems rather than human beings.” The vigil focused on the deaths of Renée Good and Alex Pretti, who were shot by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis.

-Photo Repubblika-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LONDON (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – Saudi Arabia is ready for new investments and has set its sights on the latest Ballon d’Or winner. According to Sky Sports UK, after an initial phase that brought players such as Ronaldo, Mané and Benzema into the league, the federation and clubs are preparing for another big-spending summer, with Ousmane Dembélé at the top of the list of targets, for whom a blockbuster contract would be ready.

At the moment, the player’s entourage has put a stop to any negotiations, as the forward wants to focus solely on PSG and the World Cup, but the situation could change in the summer. Dembélé still has two and a half years left on his contract, but Al-Khelaifi has made it clear that from now on contract renewals must comply with the salary cap the club has imposed on itself.

– Photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LISBON (PORTUGAL) (ITALPRESS) – “For me it is a surprise when coaches with no history or proven work are given the chance to manage important teams.” These were the statements made by José Mourinho last week ahead of the match against Juventus.

On the eve of the Champions League clash between his Benfica and Real Madrid, the Portuguese coach returned to the topic, responding to those who had interpreted his words as a reference to Arbeloa and Chivu, the current coaches of Real Madrid and Inter respectively.

“Speaking about Álvaro, among the players I have coached, from a human point of view, in terms of personal relationship and empathy, he is one of my favorites,” Mourinho said about the Spaniard, before going on to talk about the current Inter coach as well:

“For Italians it was convenient to talk about Chivu and for Spaniards about Arbeloa. But both Chivu and Arbeloa are my boys. Not just former players of mine, but special former players. Arbeloa is the last person I could ever put under pressure, but you are very clever in the way you do your job. I only hope that everything goes well for Álvaro and that, as a coach, he can embark on a fantastic career.”

– Photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Relations between Israel and Malta remain formally stable despite diplomatic friction over Malta’s recent recognition move, Israel’s ambassador said in an interview with The Times of Malta, stressing that bilateral ties have not been affected at present. While acknowledging that Malta’s trustworthiness had been questioned in some Israeli government circles, the ambassador maintained that official relations between the two countries remain unchanged.

Her remarks came as a fragile ceasefire in Gaza continues to hold following months of war triggered by Hamas’s October attacks and Israel’s subsequent military campaign. Describing humanitarian conditions in Gaza as “really horrific,” she said Israel was working “very hard” to improve the situation, adding that a ceasefire plan led by US President Donald Trump had “radically improved” conditions on the ground.

She defended the large-scale destruction of buildings as militarily necessary to collapse Hamas tunnels, saying there was “no way” to destroy the underground network without demolishing structures above.

However, she rejected the idea that Israel would need to level all of Gaza, arguing a better solution would be for Hamas to disarm, face trial for crimes against humanity and “disappear from Gaza.” If the group refuses, she said, Israel would not allow it to regroup and “would have to operate militantly,” though she added, “hopefully we don’t have to do that.”

-Photo DOI-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – “I’ve spent my life playing my own melody. Every touch, every pass, every shot: a note. Football was my music, the pitch was my piano.” Thus begins Miralem Pjanic’s farewell message, as he officially hung up his boots today, announcing his decision in a post on Instagram.

Starting out in Ligue 1, with Lyon and Metz, the Bosnian midfielder made over 120 appearances and scored 14 goals. He then moved to Italy with Roma, where he played from 2014 to 2016 (159 appearances and 27 goals), before moving to Juventus, where he played until 2020, scoring 15 goals in 122 appearances.

Subsequently, little space at Barcelona and Besiktas led him to move to Sharjah Football Club, a team from the United Arab Emirates where he made 41 appearances and scored 4 goals, starting the end of a great career, which concluded with a season at CSKA Moscow (16 appearances).

Over the course of his career, he has also made 115 appearances and scored 17 goals for the Bosnian national team, a choice he made over Luxembourg, where he grew up. “With a heart full of gratitude,” Pjanic thanks everyone who has supported him, allowing him to play the symphony he has shared with the entire football world to this day.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

BRESCIA (ITALPRESS) – Moroccan Ambassador to Italy Youssef Balla conducted an economic mission to Brescia on January 26 and 27, meeting with representatives of Confindustria and Confapi, as well as numerous local entrepreneurs. During the meetings, the ambassador outlined Morocco’s strengths as a competitive and reliable industrial hub, emphasizing the strong complementarity between Brescia’s manufacturing excellence and the Kingdom’s industrial development ambitions.

It was noted that industry accounts for approximately 26% of Morocco’s GDP and that the country attracts over $3 billion in foreign direct investment each year, particularly in the automotive, mechanical, aeronautical, and industrial processing sectors. Focus was also placed on the energy transition, with over 40% of electricity capacity coming from renewable sources, and on the quality of infrastructure and logistics, which enable rapid access to European and African markets.

The ambassador emphasized that Morocco is not intended as a destination for relocation, but rather as a partner for co-production and co-investment, offering Brescian companies concrete opportunities to develop more resilient and sustainable Euro-African value chains. The mission is part of the strengthening of the Italian-Moroccan economic partnership and the growing interest of Italian SMEs in Morocco as an industrial and export hub.

-Photo of the Moroccan Embassy in Italy-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta Police have dismantled an organised crime ring after a coordinated operation targeting foreign criminal networks in the country.

Yesterday’s operation led to the arrest of four men and one woman, all Italian nationals aged between 27 and 35, suspected of drug trafficking, money laundering, and involvement in a criminal organisation.

Police conducted simultaneous searches at residences in Msida, Sliema, and Swieqi, seizing around 13 kilogrammes of suspected cocaine, cannabis resin, and cannabis grass. Authorities estimate the drugs’ street value at 250,000 euros.

In addition, clothing and jewellery worth approximately 150,000 euros, 386,715 euros in cash, two vehicles, and a firearm were confiscated. The firearm was later confirmed as stolen.

A magisterial inquiry has been launched, led by Magistrate Dr Monica Borg Galea, who has appointed experts to assist in the ongoing investigation.

Police investigations into the network continue, with further arrests not ruled out.

– Photo Police of Malta –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews