PALERMO (ITALPRESS) – News began circulating late yesterday evening and has gained confirmation as the hours have passed—pending the customary official announcements: Ronaldinho is set to return to playing at the age of 46, and he will do so in Italy. The former Barcelona and Milan superstar—whose last match was in 2015 with Fluminense—will be signed by the Serie C club Ravenna. Details regarding the Brazilian forward’s actual level of involvement will have to wait a few days; the specifics of the project spearheaded by Ignazio Cipriani—the club’s owner since July 2024—are set to be unveiled on June 23 in Miami. Reports indicate, however, that Ronaldinho’s arrival will not be merely a marketing stunt.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

BARCELONA (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – Despite an injury-plagued season that limited his playing time to just over 600 minutes, Andreas Christensen is set to remain a Barcelona player.

According to “Cadena Ser,” the 30-year-old Danish defender—whose contract expires at the end of the month—has reportedly accepted the club’s offer for a one-year extension; he will receive a lower base salary but stand to earn various bonuses tied to the number of appearances. Club management believes that, provided he resolves his fitness issues, Christensen can still be a valuable asset both on the pitch and in the dressing room.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

SAN FRANCISCO (USA) (ITALPRESS) – It has already been dubbed the “Vinicius rule,” and it was applied during the match between Turkey and Paraguay in San Francisco. Miguel Almirón was sent off by Salvadoran referee Barton—following a VAR review—for saying something to an opponent, Müldür, while holding his hand over his mouth.

This marks the debut of a new regulation introduced by FIFA and IFAB, stemming from the controversy surrounding the Prestianni-Vinicius incident in the Champions League. During the match between Benfica and Real Madrid last February, the Argentine player was accused of insulting his rival while covering his mouth with his jersey; he received a three-match ban plus a suspended three-match ban, as the UEFA disciplinary committee accepted Prestianni’s version of events (acknowledging an insult but ruling it was homophobic rather than racist, thereby rejecting the racism charge leveled by Vinicius). To prevent similar situations from recurring, FIFA took decisive action, working with IFAB to draft a rule prohibiting players from covering their mouths while speaking to an opponent—an offense punishable by a red card. Almirón was the first player to fall foul of this new rule.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Energy Minister Miriam Dalli attended the official launch of the cable-laying vessel Nexans Electra in Norway, marking a significant step in the development of Malta’s second electricity interconnector with Italy.

Representatives from InterConnect Malta and Nexans were also present at the inauguration, the government said on Friday.

The vessel will be used to install the 103-kilometre subsea cable linking Malta to Sicily, strengthening the country’s connection to the European electricity network.

Dalli said the project builds on the success of the first Malta-Sicily interconnector commissioned in 2015 and will improve the resilience and reliability of Malta’s electricity system while supporting the country’s 2030 climate and energy goals.

Nexans has completed the manufacture and testing of the cable, including spare sections, at its facility in Charleston, United States. Offshore cable-laying operations are expected to begin later this year.

The 150-metre-long Nexans Electra can transport the entire cable, weighing more than eight million kilograms, in a single voyage and install it at depths of up to 160 metres.

Preparatory offshore works have already been completed, including route surveys and the safe removal of unexploded wartime objects.

Onshore works are also progressing, with 97% of trenching completed in Malta and major works advancing in Sicily.

The €300 million project has secured €261 million in European funding and has been designated an Operation of Strategic Importance under the 2021-2027 programme.

– Photo Malta Ministry of Energy –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LONDON (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – Ruben Amorim has reportedly set his sights on Manuel Ugarte. According to the Mirror, the new AC Milan manager has identified the 25-year-old Uruguayan midfielder—whom he previously coached at both Sporting and Manchester United—as one of the reinforcements he would like to bring in.

Ugarte, who was signed by Manchester United from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2024 for £42 million, has struggled to establish himself at Old Trafford. During the most recent season, he made only eight Premier League starts and eventually fell out of favor under Michael Carrick.

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(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LISBON (PORTUGAL) (ITALPRESS) – The partnership between Sporting Lisbon and Morten Hjulmand could be nearing its end. According to A Bola, last summer the club reportedly promised the Danish midfielder that he would be allowed to leave during this transfer window for a fee below his €80 million release clause—reportedly around €40–50 million.

Although reports in Spain have linked him with Atlético Madrid, the former Lecce player’s most likely destinations appear to be the Premier League and Serie A. With a move to Juventus now seemingly off the table, Hjulmand has reportedly become a top target for AC Milan, where new manager Ruben Amorim knows him well, having strongly supported his move to Sporting in 2023.

The midfielder also has plenty of admirers in England, ranging from Arsenal to Manchester City, whose sporting director is former Sporting executive Hugo Viana.

– Photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – Achraf Hakimi will stand trial for rape. The Versailles Court of Appeal has confirmed the referral of the PSG defender to the Departmental Criminal Court. The Moroccan footballer’s appeal has therefore been dismissed. “The investigations conducted have led to the conclusion that there are sufficient allegations against Mr. Achraf Hakimi to justify his indictment before the Departmental Criminal Court of Hauts-de-Seine,” the Versailles Court of Appeals stated in a statement.

The case stems from an alleged rape reported by a young woman Hakimi met on Instagram and received at his home in February 2023. Hakimi, who has been charged, has denied any guilt or wrongdoing since the beginning of the affair.

-Photo IPA Agency-
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Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – The Iran Football Association will file a complaint with FIFA regarding the “restrictions” imposed on its national team at the World Cup. These “restrictions” prevent the Middle Eastern team from fully preparing for their second match against Belgium, according to a spokesperson for the Iran Football Association.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – “We can and must do better. We need to improve our balance and quality of play, and above all, make fewer misplaced passes. We have the quality to do this and to play a good match.” So said Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti on the eve of their second World Cup outing. After the 1-1 draw against Morocco, the Brazilian national team returns to the pitch against Haiti, who lost 1-0 in their opening match against Scotland.

“We’ll make some changes, perhaps bringing on some fresher players. I have no problem communicating the starting lineup. Football holds no secrets, but I prefer to tell my players beforehand,” Ancelotti added.

“We’ve worked hard in recent days to try to resolve some issues. I believe we’ll succeed: I continue to believe the team will be competitive in this World Cup. Haiti is a very balanced team, with quality, especially physical. They’re well-organized and have a fairly clear system,” the Brazil coach concluded.

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(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

BUENOS AIRES (ITALPRESS) – Edinson Cavani’s stint with Boca Juniors is coming to an end. The Uruguayan striker, who arrived in Buenos Aires in the summer of 2023, has reached an agreement with the Argentine club for the early termination of his contract, which was due to expire this coming December. According to Argentine media reports, the parting of ways was amicable and free of tension, with both parties maintaining an excellent relationship. Boca will begin preparations for the new season without their now-former number 10.

For Cavani, who turned 39 in February, the last few months have been particularly difficult, largely due to persistent physical issues; chronic back pain limited his playing time. The departure of the former Palermo, Napoli, Paris Saint-Germain, and Manchester United striker follows that of Ander Herrera and other players set to leave Buenos Aires as part of a major squad overhaul. In the blue-and-gold jersey, Cavani made a total of 81 appearances, scoring 28 goals and providing three assists. He also wore the captain’s armband on several occasions.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews