VALLETTA (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta’s government push to send migrants to their country of origin continued with the return of 44 people in a police-led operation, the Home Affairs Ministry said. The group had been disembarked in Malta on December 12 after being rescued at sea by the Armed Forces of Malta. One person died during the rescue.

The latest returns followed a separate operation involving four other individuals, bringing the total number of people returned over a 17-day period to 48.

The ministry described the operation as both large-scale and unusually swift, noting that the migrants had arrived in Malta just over two weeks earlier. It said the returns mean that 81% of irregular migrants who arrived in Malta during 2025 have now been sent back to their countries of origin, while overall arrivals remain among the lowest on record.

According to the ministry, irregular arrivals over the past five years have fallen by 93%, as returns of individuals who do not qualify for asylum have increased. Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri said Malta continues to apply a migration policy that distinguishes between those entitled to international protection and those with no legal right to remain. He said refugees are provided with assistance, while those who abuse the system are returned as efficiently as possible. Camilleri added that completing a return operation within 17 days sends a strong signal to human trafficking networks, which he said put lives at risk at sea.

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Source: medNews

SEVILLE (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – In recent days there had already been talk of his interest in joining as a shareholder, but now Sergio Ramos appears to be going a step further. While awaiting a decision on his future as a player after the end of his Mexican stint, the former Real Madrid defender is reportedly leading a consortium of investors ready to take over ownership of Sevilla—the club where he came through the ranks and to which he returned in the 2023–24 season—and has already submitted an initial offer.

However, this bid is said to be lower than the one made by a U.S. company that had negotiated the purchase of the club in recent weeks, only to withdraw after the findings of its due diligence. Sevilla’s financial problems, reports AS, do not seem to deter Ramos, who is serious about the move and intends to outbid competition from two local entrepreneurs, Antonio Lappi and Federico Quintero, who are also interested.

Should the defender succeed in acquiring the club, he would have to give up continuing his playing career in Spain: local regulations prohibit an active player from having business ties with LaLiga while simultaneously playing for a Spanish club.

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(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

SÃO PAULO (BRAZIL) (ITALPRESS) – Gabriel Barbosa will be Neymar’s attacking partner at Santos. According to Globoesporte, the deal for the former Inter striker’s loan move from Cruzeiro is close to being finalized. Gabigol had been left out of the squad for preseason training.

The agreement will run until December 2026, with Santos holding an option to buy and sharing the player’s salary with Cruzeiro. For Gabigol, it is a return home: the 29-year-old forward came through Santos’ youth academy, going on to make 210 appearances with 84 goals and 13 assists.

Top scorer in 2018 with 18 goals, he entered Santos’ history books by scoring the club’s 12,000th goal in a 5–1 win over Botafogo Ribeirão Preto in the 2014 Paulista Championship.

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(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

MANCHESTER (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – Ruben Amorim does not expect any developments in the January transfer window, either incoming or outgoing. “We haven’t talked about changes to the squad,” said the Portuguese Manchester United coach. “We’re close to the Champions League places, but we’re also close to eight teams behind us, so let’s focus on the next match.”

However, rumours of a move by Zirkzee to Roma are becoming increasingly persistent. “No one has asked to leave and I don’t expect anyone to come to me asking for anything,” Amorim cut short.

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(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

BARCELONA (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – “Is the squad strong enough to compete on all fronts? A difficult question. We’re not ready yet. If we look at the defence, both centre-backs and full-backs, we need one more player. But it’s not easy in the winter transfer window. I’m confident we might be able to do something, but it has to make sense.”

Hansi Flick did not hide the fact that a defensive reinforcement in January would be useful. “For me, the most important thing is to train the way we have over the last two weeks: with quality, high intensity and great focus,” he then said, looking ahead to 2026. “That’s how you improve; there’s a lot of potential in the team. I hope all the players stay healthy. We’ve already had many injuries—enough for this season.”

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(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

MANCHESTER (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – “Surprised by the split between Maresca and Chelsea? In the world of football? It only confirms how lucky I am to be at this extraordinary club. The only thing I can say is that, from my point of view, Chelsea are losing an incredible coach and an incredible person.But it’s a decision made by Chelsea’s management, so I have nothing more to add.” Pep Guardiola had warm words for the former Blues coach, who grew within his own staff at Manchester City.

Maresca had also been linked with the Etihad bench as Guardiola’s potential successor. “I have no idea, but I’m sure you have more information than I do,” he replied. “Will I stay at City next season as well? I still have a contract, I’ve said it billions of times. I know you’re tired of me after 10 years—one day I’ll leave, I promise you. But I still have a contract and I’m happy. I want to fight with my team and the club respects me, as was shown last season. We didn’t win a match for three months and they supported me. I want to try to win; I have one year left on my contract and I’d like to stay here, so we’ll see. Do you want to get rid of me? Just know that my salary is very high,” the Citizens’ coach concluded with irony.

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(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – Former Brazilian defender Dani Alves, 42, has become co-owner of Sporting Clube de São João de Ver, a team in the Portuguese third division. The club, based in Santa Maria da Feira, announced Alves’s entry into ownership of the club, emphasizing its ambitions for growth and development. According to Portuguese press, Alves is also considering a possible return to the pitch as player-owner for a few months in 2026, thus closing out his playing career in Europe.

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(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – A group of Maltese passengers spent New Year’s Eve stranded on the Danube River after their cruise ship ran aground while en route to Bratislava.

The 46 Maltese travellers were among around 200 passengers aboard the MS nickoVision, which departed from Passau, Germany, on December 26 for a holiday cruise along the Danube.

The ship had already visited Melk, Vienna and Esztergom, but encountered difficulties due to low water levels while heading towards Budapest. Unable to proceed, passengers were taken by coach to Budapest for a guided tour before returning to the vessel. The next scheduled stop was Bratislava on New Year’s Eve. However, at around midnight, the ship ran aground in shallow waters. A tugboat attempted to free the vessel on Wednesday, but without success.

As a result, passengers welcomed the New Year on board, with a gala dinner, music and entertainment.

A second attempt to free the ship on New Year’s Day also failed. Passengers were later instructed to prepare for transfer by barge to another vessel bound for Bratislava, where they are expected to stay at a hotel.

The cruise company notes that river cruises are highly dependent on weather conditions and water levels, which may require changes to itineraries.

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(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

PARIS (FRANCE) (ITALPRESS) – No step back. Gabonese Sports Minister Simplice-Desiré Mamboula, following the elimination from the Africa Cup of Nations, confirmed “the dissolution of the technical staff, the suspension of the national team until further notice, and the exclusion of players Bruno Ecuele Manga and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.” A series of drastic measures due to the players’ “shameful performance” in Morocco.

Moreover, already on December 28, after the defeat against Mozambique, Gabon President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema had spoken of a “lack of method and waste of resources” and a “worrying erosion of patriotic feeling in the management of sport.” On X, Aubameyang, who had been sent back to Marseille even before the last match, made his voice heard: “I think the team’s problems go much deeper than the small person that I am.”

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Source: medNews

SEVILLE (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – He took his first steps as a footballer at Sevilla, returned for a season after Real Madrid and PSG, and now he could begin a new chapter in another role. While waiting to figure out where to continue his career after his experience in Mexico, Sergio Ramos could invest in his former club.

According to “Muchodeporte,” the 39-year-old center-back has initiated preliminary contacts to inquire about the Andalusian club’s status with a view to potentially joining as a shareholder, given that negotiations for the club’s sale to an American consortium have reportedly reached an impasse.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews