Zinedine Zidane leaves post as Real Madrid manager

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Zinedine Zidane is set to announce shortly that he’ll be stepping down as Real Madrid manager, according to a number of sources.

The French tactician is due to appear alongside Florentino Perez in a press conference at 12pm, according to Sport Bible, and journalist Jose Luis Sanchez is among those stating he’ll be resigning.

This follows Zidane enjoying remarkable success as Real boss in his two and a half seasons in charge, winning three Champions League titles and one La Liga title in that time.

It is not yet clear why Zidane will be leaving, but it may be that he’s keen to go out on a high at the Bernabeu after so much instant success at the start of his management career.

Known for being one of the best players in the world during his playing days, he has already won more Champions League titles than big names like Jose Mourinho and Pep 

VAR able to give retrospective red cards at World Cup

Referees at the World Cup finals will be able to give red cards for off-the-ball incidents spotted by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), football’s rule-making body the International Football Association Board (IFAB) has said.

VAR will be used for the first time at a World Cup at this summer's tournament and IFAB confirmed players can receive retrospective red cards during matches in Russia.

IFAB technical director David Elleray told The Times: "If there is something away from the action that has been missed and it later comes to the attention of the VAR or the assistant VAR, then they can inform the referee and he can send the player off, even if it is later in the match.

"We do not anticipate this happening very often... this would only be for serious red-card offences."

Following trials in FA Cup and Carabao Cup games this season, VAR has been met by some criticism with Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino saying he fears the technology could kill emotion in the game.

Egyptian lawyer sues Sergio Ramos for $1.5 billion for Mo Salah challenge

When Liverpool star Mohamed Salah went down with injury in the Champions League final, Egyptian fans were outraged with Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos.

Ramos wrestled Salah to the ground in the first half, forcing Salah out of the game with shoulder ligament damage, and leaving Liverpool adrift without their best player.

Now an Egyptian lawyer has filed a suit against Ramos, seeking compensation “for the physical and psychological harm that Ramos gave Salah and the Egyptian people.”

Salah’s countryman Bassem Wahba told Egyptian TV station Sadah El-Balad “Ramos intentionally injured Mo Salah and should be punished about [sic] his actions.”

Wahba is seeking one billion Euro ($1.5 billion AUD) in compensation, pledging to donate it to the country’s Long Live Egypt Fund.

Salah’s injury sparked fears that the Egyptian talisman would be ruled out of the World Cup, but Salah has since downplayed suggestions that he would not compete with an optimistic post-match tweet.

Police probe Karius death threats

Merseyside Police will probe death threats made to Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius after Saturday’s Champions League Final against Real Madrid.

BBC Sport reports Karius and his family ‘were the subject of threats’ after the goalkeeper’s two blunders helped Madrid beat Liverpool 3-1 in Kiev.

“We take social media posts of this nature extremely seriously. Offences will be investigated,” police told the British broadcaster.

“Officers are aware of a number of comments and threats made via social media.

“Merseyside Police would like to remind social media users than any offences including malicious communications and threatening behaviour will be investigated.”

Ronaldo: Until next time…

Cristiano Ronaldo told Real Madrid fans it was a case of ‘until next time’ during the club’s Champions League celebrations on Sunday.

Thousands of Madrid fans took to Cibeles Square in the Spanish capital to salute their heroes, barely a day after they beat Liverpool 3-1 in Kiev to win the Champions League Final.

Ronaldo’s stunning admission after the Final that he could leave Los Blancosprompted supporters to chant ‘Cristiano, stay’ en masse at the Santiago Bernabeu.

That was preceded by the No 7 addressing them from Cibeles: “Thanks everyone, until next time…”

The 33-year-old was reportedly unhappy about earning less than Lionel Messi and Neymar, although he denied that was the case in the mixed zone after Saturday’s triumph.

Real Madrid captures 3rd straight Champions League title

Real Madrid won its third consecutive Champions League title with a 3-1 victory over Liverpool in Kiev on Saturday. Gareth Bale scored a brace for

Bale, who also scored in Real's 2014 final win over Atletico Madrid, had only been on the pitch for three minutes after entering as a substitute when he rose to meet Marcelo's cross in the air from outside the box, sending it flying into the net to restore Real's lead in the 64th minute at the NSC Olympic Stadium

French forward Karim Benzema had put Madrid ahead in the 51st minute by sticking out a leg as Liverpool's German keeper Karius attempted to throw the ball to a teammate, sending it trickling over the line. Sadio Mané levelled from close range in the 55th for Jurgen  Klopp's side.

Bale later sealed Madrid's record-extending 13th European Cup win and piled more misery on Karius with a long-range strike in the 83rd minute which went straight through the hands of the hapless goalkeeper.

Real became the first side since Bayern Munich in 1976 to win the trophy three years in a row and Zinedine Zidane the is the first coach to win three back-to-back titles.

Liverpool's talismanic forward Mohamed Salah was forced off in the first half with a suspected dislocated shoulder after tangling with Madrid captain Sergio Ramos, while Real defender Dani Carvajal also left the pitch in tears after getting injured before halftime.

Real Madrid tops Liverpool to lift 3rd straight Champions League title

Real Madrid has won its third straight Champions League after defeating Liverpool 3-1 in Saturday’s UEFA Champions League final.

Substitute Gareth Bale scored a second-half brace to wrap up the victory for Madrid. Karim Benzema opened the scoring off a howler from Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius, while Sadio Mane struck for the Reds.

This is also Madrid’s fourth title in the last five years

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'Live it Up!' Official World Cup Anthem by Will Smith & Nicky Jam Is Out: Listen

The song and video for the official FIFA World Cup Song, with Nicky Jam and Will Smith featuring Era Isteri, is out. “Live It Up!,” whose chorus urges, “One life, live it up, cause you don’t live twice,” is an uptempo invitation to get pumped up. With traces of dance and ska, it features Jam singing in English and Spanish, another nod to the universality of the World Cup. 

UEFA Champions League Final Records

With Real Madrid and Liverpool duking it out for the UEFA Champions League (UCL) trophy this weekend, we’ve been rummaging through the history books for stats and facts for you to impress your mates with.

TEAMS

Most Appearances

AC Milan	6
Juventus	6
Real Madrid	6
Bayern Munich	5
Barcelona	5

Most Wins

Real Madrid	6
Barcelona	4
AC Milan	3
Bayern Munich	2
Manchester United	2

Biggest Wins

4-0 AC Milan v Barcelona (1994)

4-1 Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid (2014)

4-1 Real Madrid v Juventus (2017)

3-0 Real Madrid v Valencia (2000)

3-0 FC Porto v Monaco (2004)

Decided On Penalties

Juventus beat Ajax 4-2 after a 1-1 draw (1996)

Bayern Munich beat Valencia 5-4 after a 1-1 draw (2001)

AC Milan beat Juventus 3-2 after a 0-0 draw (2003)

Liverpool beat AC Milan 3-2 after a 3-3 draw (2005)

Manchester United beat Chelsea 6-5 after a 1-1 draw (2008)

Chelsea beat Bayern Munich 4-3 after a 1-1 draw (2012)

Real Madrid beat Club Atletico Madrid 5-3 after a 1-1 draw (2016)

COACHES

Most Wins

3	Carlo Ancelotti	(AC Milan 2003, 2007, Real Madrid 2014)
2	Ottmar Hitzfeld	(Borussia Dortmund 1997, Bayern Munich 2001)
2	Jupp Heynckes	(Real Madrid 1998, Bayern Munich 2013)
2	Sir Alex Ferguson	(Manchester United 1999, 2008)
2	Vicente Del Bosque	(Real Madrid 2000, 2002)
2	José Mourinho	(FC Porto 2004, Inter Milan 2010)
2	Josep Guardiola	(Barcelona 2009, 2011)
2	Zinédine Zidane	(Real Madrid 2016, 2017)

Coaches Who Have Won With More Than One Club

Ottmar Hitzfeld	(Borussia Dortmund 1997, Bayern Munich 2001)
José Mourinho	(FC Porto 2004, Inter Milan 2010)
Jupp Heynckes	(Real Madrid 1998, Bayern Munich 2013)
Carlo Ancelotti	(AC Milan 2003, 2007, Real Madrid 2014)

PLAYERS

Man Of The Match

2001	Oliver Kahn	Bayern Munich
2002	Zinédine Zidane	Real Madrid
2003	Paolo Maldini	AC Milan
2004	Deco	FC Porto
2005	Steven Gerrard	Liverpool
2006	Samuel Eto’o	Barcelona
2007	Filippo Inzaghi	AC Milan
2008	Edwin van der Sar	Manchester United
2009	Xavi Hernández	Barcelona
2010	Diego Milito	Inter Milan
2011	Lionel Messi	Barcelona
2012	Didier Drogba	Chelsea
2013	Arjen Robben	Bayern Munich
2014	Ángel Di María	Real Madrid
2015	Andrés Iniesta	Barcelona
2016	Sergio Ramos	Real Madrid
2017	Cristiano Ronaldo	Real Madrid

Players Who Have Won With More Than One Club

Marcel Desailly	(Marseille 1993 / AC Milan 1994)
Didier Deschamps	(Marseille 1993 / Juventus 1996)
Christian Panucci	(AC Milan 1994 / Real Madrid 1998)
Clarence Seedorf	(Ajax 1995 / Real Madrid 1998 / AC Milan 2003, 2007)
Edwin van der Sar	(Ajax 1995 / Manchester United 2008)
Paulo Sousa	(Juventus 1996 / Borussia Dortmund 1997)
Owen Hargreaves	(Bayern Munich 2001 / Manchester United 2008)
Deco	(FC Porto 2004 / Barcelona 2006)
José Bosingwa	(FC Porto 2004 / Chelsea 2012)
Paulo Ferreira	(FC Porto 2004 / Chelsea 2012)
Samuel Eto’o	(Barcelona 2006, 2009 / Inter Milan 2010)
Cristiano Ronaldo	(Manchester United 2008 / Real Madrid 2014, 2016, 2017)
Toni Kroos	(Bayern Munich 2013 / Real Madrid 2016, 2017)

Players Who Have Scored In More Than One Final

Cristiano Ronaldo	(Manchester United in 2008 [1], (Real Madrid ) in 2014 [1], 2017 [2]
Raúl González	(Real Madrid) in 2000 [1], 2002 [1]
Samuel Eto’o	(Barcelona) in 2006 [1], 2009 [1]
Lionel Messi	(Barcelona) in 2009 [1], 2011 [1]
Sergio Ramos	(Real Madrid) in 2014 [1], 2016 [1]
Mario Mandžukić	(Bayern Munich) in 2013 [1], (Juventus) in 2017 [1]

Russia welcomes the world

The Russian national team has welcomed their fellow competing teams at the 2018 World Cup. The Sbornaya squad donned the playing shirts of the 31 other countries at the tournament. Igor Akinfeev expressed his wish that “all teams enjoy Russia and its hospitality”

“We welcome all the teams who are coming here for the World Cup,” said goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev, wearing the shirt of reigning world champions Germany. “I think they’ll quickly be convinced that Russia is 100% ready for their arrival. Our country has staged plenty of major sporting events and important matches already. I hope every player, coach and fan enjoys Russia and its hospitality.”

“I hope everyone likes Russia,” added defender Sergei Ignashevich, who holds the all-time record for Sbornaya caps. “It’s summer here, the weather is wonderful and the people are friendly. I’m sure you’ll be happy.”

Supporters from all over the world will soon be able to properly appreciate the warmth of Russian people, as there is only three weeks left until the Opening Match of the 2018 World Cup between Russia and Saudi Arabia at the Luzhniki Stadium!

It is time for the last remaining preparations before the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™, as players work to get themselves into top shape and coaches finalise their starting line-ups. Meanwhile, the fans lucky enough to get tickets are planning their journeys and the organisers are applying the finishing touches to the tournament.

After years of hard work, the Host Nation is eagerly looking forward to welcoming football fans and competing teams. In fact, the Russian national team, coaching and support staffhave taken it one step further: by donning the jerseys of every country competing at Russia 2018 – and posing for a squad photo.

The Sbornaya turned up for training earlier than usual and upon arrival they were greeted by 32 jerseys from around the globe hanging in their locker room. They duly obliged – putting them on, exchanging jokes and taking the obligatory selfies. Who got to wear the Russia shirt? It was, of course, the boss – coach Stanislav Cherchesov.​

South Korean team loses 3 key players ahead of World Cup

Shin Tae-yong, head coach of the national South Korean team, announced on May 21 that forward Lee Keun-ho will not play in the World Cup. The Korea Football Association announced that Lee tore the medial ligament in his right knee during a K League game. The announcement came one day after midfielder Kwon Chang-hoon was injured while playing for his French club over the weekend. Key defender Kim Min-jae was also sidelined by an injury earlier this month. Although three key players will not be on the national team for the World Cup, team captain Ki Sung-yueng declared the Korean team has always shown strength “in difficult situations,” and that he was “ready to lead the team.”

Sampaoli names Argentina 23-man provisional squad

Argentine coach Jorge Sampaoli announced his provisional list of 23 players for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ on Monday.

The squad is headlined by Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi, while Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero is also included despite recent injury problems.

The surprise inclusion is 31-year-old fullback Cristian Ansaldi, who has not played for the national team since the end of 2014.

"We need to face the World Cup without fear," Sampaoli said.

"In this list there are players with a lot of skill. The ones that understand our game better will be closer to being starters."

The 2014 runners-up will open their Russia 2018 campaign against debutants Iceland on 16 June, before further Group D matches against Croatia and Nigeria.

Argentina squad

Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero (Manchester United/England), Wilfredo Caballero (Chelsea/England), Franco Armani (River Plate).

Defenders: Cristian Ansaldi (Torino/Italy), Gabriel Mercado (Sevilla/Spain), Nicolas Otamendi (Manchester City/England), Federico Fazio (Roma/Italy), Marcos Rojo (Manchester United/England), Marcos Acuna (Sporting Lisbon/Portugal), Nicolas Tagliafico (Ajax/Netherlands).

Midfielders: Javier Mascherano (Hebei China Fortune/China PR), Cristian Pavon (Boca Juniors), Maximiliano Meza (Independiente), Angel Di Maria (Paris Saint-Germain/France), Giovani Lo Celso (Paris Saint-Germain/France), Manuel Lanzini (West Ham/England), Ever Banega (Sevilla/Spain), Lucas Biglia (AC Milan/Italy), Eduardo Salvio (Benfica/Portugal).

Forwards: Paulo Dybala (Juventus/Italy), Gonzalo Higuain (Juventus/Italy), Lionel Messi (Barcelona/Spain), Sergio Aguero (Manchester City/England).

Real Madrid is 2018 EuroLeague champion

Real Madrid became the first team to win 10 EuroLeague titles by defeating Fenerbahce  85-80 in the  EuroLeague Championship Game at Stark Arena in Belgrade, Serbia on Sunday. Fabien Causeur started and scored a team-high 17 points and Luka Doncic tallied 15 points and 4 assists to earn Final Four MVP honors. Trey Thompkins added 10 points in a true team effort that saw 11 different Madrid players score. Pablo Laso became the first Spanish coach in 37 years to win multiple EuroLeague titles, while Rudy Fernandez, Sergio Llull,  Felipe Reyes, Facu Campazzo, Gustavo Ayon and Jaycee Carroll each won his second EuroLeague ring. Nicolo Melli paced Fenerbahce with 28 points and 6 rebounds and Brad Wanamaker scored 14 and dished 5 assists in defeat. Fenerbahce led 38-40 at halftime, but Los Blancos scored the first 7 points if the second half and never trailed again. The lead peaked at 11 in the fourth quarter before Fenerbahce rallied late to get within 3, but Causeur iced the game from the line.

Ahmet Duverioglu's layup opened the scoring and Nikola Kalinic added a triple to make it 0-5. Doncic started the Madrid tally with a fastbreak layup and followed it with a short jumper. But Duverioglu and Kalinic each scored from few feet away before Duverioglu’s dunk made it 6-11. Fabien Causeur knocked down a three for Madrid and after Duveriouglu got his personal tally to 8 points, Ayon made a long hook-shot, followed by back-to-back triples by Rudy Fernandez and Sergio Llul to give Madrid an 18-15 edge. Kostas Sloukas snapped Fenerbahce’s three-minute drought without a field goal with a driving reverse layup, but Anthony Randolph nailed a last-second three to make it 21-17 after 10 minutes. Jeffery Taylor had a fastbreak dunk and Walter Tavares scored inside to extend it to 25-17 just 90 seconds into the second quarter. Fenerbahce needed another minute to score its first points, a triple from Melli, who also strung together a layup and a fastbreak dunk to close the gap, before a step-back jumper from Luigi Datome and another layup from Melli made it 29-28, prompting a Madrid timeout. A floater by Carroll and a long baseline jumper from Trey Thompkins gave Madrid some breathing room, but only briefly. Sloukas drove through the defense for a runner before Brad Wanamaker made free throws to restore Fenerbahce’s lead. In the final minute, Carroll and Sloukas traded three-pointers as Fenerbahce went into the break in front 38-40.

Madrid scored the first 7 points of the third quarter, with Causeur hitting a triple and Ayon putting a move on Jan Vesely inside, to lead 45-40. Melli got Fenerbahce going, first trading near-impossible baskets in the crowd with Felipe Reyes and then trading triples with Causeur. Wanamaker had a three-point play that cut the margin to 50-48 and also nailed a long jumper that Doncic bettered with a transition three-pointer. Causeur banked in a tough runner to open a 59-52 margin with more than two minutes left in the quarter. Kalinic had a monster dunk for Fenerbahce, but Tavares's put-back helped Madrid head into the fourth quarter with a 63-55 advantage. Llull committed his fourth personal foul early in the fourth quarter and Madrid was held without a field goal for more than three minutes to open the fourth quarter. Fenerbahce cut the deficit to 66-61 through Melli who had a three-point play and a three-pointer. But after Sloukas missed a pull-up three-pointer, Vesely’s unsportsmanlike foul resulted in free throws from Doncic and a triple from Carroll as the margin went up to 61-51 with exactly six minutes to go. In the next four minutes, Madrid only managed 3 free throws, but also pulled down 3 offensive rebounds, enough to extend the margin to 74-63. Melli hit a triple and Ali Muhammed made a tough layup to get within 74-69, but Tavares, Thompkins and Doncic each made a pair of free throws to extend the difference to 9 points with 1:23 to go. Fenerbahce was not going away, however, as Wanamaker got to the line twice and made all 4 fouls shots before Muhammed nailed a three-pointer with 22.4 seconds to go to bring Fenerbahce to 81-78. Causeur got to the line 4 seconds later and missed both of his free throws, but Thompkins was there for a put-back to make it a 5-point advantage, which Madrid preserved in the final seconds.

'When I play I'm Luca, not Zidane'

LUCA ZIDANE HAS tried to play down pressure associated with following in the footsteps of his famous father after making his Real Madrid debut.

Madrid head coach Zinedine Zidane rested goalkeeper Keylor Navas as he handed son Luca his first start in Saturday’s 2-2 La Liga draw at Villarreal.

The 20-year-old keeper made a costly misjudgement as the Champions League holders squandered a two-goal lead in their final league fixture of the season.

Luca Zidane was rounded by substitute Samu Castillejo with five minutes remaining as Villarreal salvaged a point.

“When I play I’m Luca, not Zidane,” the youngster said afterwards.

“It tastes bittersweet, I’m proud to have made my debut with the best team in the world but the feeling of the draw is a bit bittersweet,” he added. “I’ll have to watch the conceded goals again, I tried my best.”

It was a proud moment for Zinedine Zidane, who won titles during his illustrious career as a player with France, Juventus and Madrid.

“Luca [Zidane] is just another player. I treat him as I do any of the other player and that’s it,” Zinedine told reporters.

“He’s the only player of the squad who hadn’t played this season. So that’s why he played today.

“His debut is an important match for him and of course for his coach, his father. We will see each other later.

Eintracht Frankfurt stun Bayern to win DFB-Pokal for first time in 30 years

NIKO Kovac has left Eintracht Frankfurt the perfect parting gift with victory against his future employers Bayern Munich in the German Cup final.

Kovac delivered the silverware, and with it European football next season, in his final game in charge before replacing Jupp Heynckes at Bayern as Frankfurt won 3-1 in Berlin.

Ante Rebic scored either side of Robert Lewandowski’s equaliser, with his second goal after 82 minutes surviving a VAR check by the referee after Bayern appealed for a handball in the build-up.

That was not the end of the replay drama, however, as Frankfurt survived another review in injury time when the referee decided that Kevin-Prince Boateng’s kick on Javi Martinez was not worthy of a penalty.

With Bayern still seething, Frankfurt immediately launched a counter-attack and substitute Mijat Gacinovic raced clear of two opponents to roll the ball into an empty net and spark wild celebrations with his teammates and supporters.

While it was the perfect send-off for Kovac, it denied Heynckes a Bundesliga and cup double on his farewell as Frankfurt claimed their first trophy in 30 years following defeat in the final 12 months ago.

Bayern will feel two huge decisions went against them and were left to rue chances from Lewandowski and Mats Hummels which struck the crossbar.

Chelsea win English FA Cup, beat Man United 1-0

EDEN Hazard’s first-half penalty proved decisive as Chelsea salvaged their season by beating Manchester United 1-0 in the FA Cup final in what is widely expected to be manager Antonio Conte’s swan song.

“You can see what it means to us, the staff, the fans,” he told the BBC.

“This was to save our season. Not in an arrogant way but we have to try and win things.

“That’s two in two, a league title and an FA Cup.”

Jose Mourinho’s United were dismal in a scrappy first half and although they improved significantly after the break they were denied a record-equalling 13th FA Cup triumph and ended the season without a trophy.

“I congratulated them because they won but I don’t think they deserved to win,” he said.

“I congratulated them because I am a sportsman.

“They scored one more goal than us and they got the cup and so I’ve got to do what my job asks me to do.

“I’m the Manchester United manager and I have to be respectful, not just because they were my previous club but because they were the opponent that won the cup.

“I think we deserved to win, I think we were the best team, but that’s football.”

Celtic down Motherwell to claim Scottish Cup gold

CELTIC have cruised to a record-breaking second successive domestic treble after beating Motherwell 2-0 to win the Scottish Cup final.

First-half goals from Callum McGregor and Olivier Ntcham were enough to earn the runaway Premiership champions a third trophy of the season and repeat last year’s treble, a feat unprecedented in the Scottish game.

Motherwell hit the woodwork in the second half as they staged a spirited rally, but as in the League Cup final in November, Celtic triumphed against the same side by the same score.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has steered the Glasgow side to his sixth domestic trophy in two seasons in charge.

Rodgers insists he will expect more of them now as he guards against the complacency that might scuttle their next mission: making it three trebles in a row.

“I certainly need to push them even harder next season,” he said. “I think we can be better. We need to get better again. We dropped too many points this year.

“There’s lots for us to push for next season. We enter every competition to win and that will be the aim next season.

“When you have the success we had last year, it would have been so easy to have gone soft, gone timid, not had the same aggression.

“For teams like us, it’s not the punches to the head and body that stop you, it’s the pats on the back.

“We can never be satisfied. We have to be hungry to succeed.”

Real Madrid stun CSKA, join Fenerbahce in Final

    

Real Madrid will clash with Fenerbahce in EuroLeague title game on Sunday.

They upset CSKA in the second semifinal battle in Belgrade tonight. Sergio Llull (190-PG-87) and Luka Doncic (201-G-99) banked in 16 points each to lead the Madrid side.

CSKA got to a strong start. 

The Moscow team unloaded 30 points in the first period to ensure a 10-point lead. But Real quickly recovered. They used a 17:4 rally early in the second period to surge ahead. Real arrived at the big break up by one point 47:46. 

Real shut down CSKA in the third quarter. They limited their opponents to just 10 points in the period to open a 63:56 advantage. Sergio Llull and Trey Thompkins (208-F-90, college: Georgia) gave Real a 73:61 lead early in the fourth stanza. CSKA went on a strong rally to pull within three points 73:76 with just over four minutes remaining. 

However Sergio Llull sank a timely three-pointer to calm things down.

Luka Doncic and Gustavo Ayon (207-C-85, college: San Jose St.) secured an 85:75 advantage for Real and they marched to the victory. Gustavo Ayon and Trey Thompkins finished with 12 points each in the win. Nando De Colo (196-SG-87) answered with 20 points for Real Madrid. Kyle Hines (198-C/F-86, agency: BeoBasket) had 16 points and 9 rebounds in the loss.