Page 12 - English Premier League

English clubs' financial power is $25bn of European soccer economy: UEFA

The financial power of English soccer was detailed in a UEFA report Thursday analyzing the record 24 billion euros ($25.75 billion) economy of top-tier clubs across Europe. The 20 Premier League clubs' total revenue of 6.5 billion euros ($7 billion) in 2022 was almost equal to the next two richest leagues combined Spain's La Liga and Germany's 18-team Bundesliga each had about 3.3 billion euros ($3.54 billion). Those 20 Premier League clubs combined had as much revenue as all 642 clubs in the 50 countries outside the big five leagues of England, Spain, Germany, Italy and France, UEFA said. Closing the gap on English clubs' spending power had been cited in 2021 as a reason why clubs in Spain and Italy pushed hardest for the breakaway Super League project that failed. UEFA's annual review of club finances suggested the industry has recovered from lingering pandemic impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak that shut down European soccer in 2020. It predicted total revenue topping 26 billion

Man United and Jim Ratcliffe get EPL approval over deal to buy 25% of club

The Premier League has approved Jim Ratcliffe's proposed bid to buy a minority stake in Manchester United, the club said. In a filing to the Securities and Exchange Commission on Monday, United said it had already been granted approval under its rules over who is allowed to be an owner or director of a soccer club. It also said it expected clearance from the Football Association as British billionaire Ratcliffe closes in on completion of his deal to buy 25% of the club. League rules disqualify people from becoming owners or directors for reasons such as criminal convictions, sporting bans or involvement in other clubs. Ratcliffe is one of Britain's richest people and the owner of petrochemicals giant INEOS. He agreed a deal to buy a stake in United in December and on Monday the deadline for completion was extended from Feb. 14 to Feb. 17. As part of the deal, Racliffe's INEOS Sport division will take over control of United's soccer operation after more than a decade since it won th

Erling Haaland to relax and stay positive: Manchester City's Guardiola

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola called on Erling Haaland to relax and stay positive after being concerned by the prolific striker's on-field demeanor before he scored the first goals of his comeback from injury. Guardiola was critical of his players' body language during the 2-0 win over Everton in the Premier League on Saturday, which saw Haaland score twice in the second half after a frustrating first 45 minutes for the Norwegian. In that moment, he has to be positive," Guardiola said Monday, a day before Haaland and City take on FC Copenhagen away in the first leg of the Champions League's round of 16. "When he scored a goal, he reacted but he doesn't need to score because he helps us for many things. He is defined by goals but it is not just scoring a goal. As much it's how he is clapping, encouraging his mates and the first intense press. This is what we need from Erling." Not that the 23-year-old Haaland ever goes too long without scoring. He was the top scorer in his .

Manchester City keeps the pressure on Liverpool in EPL title race

Watch out, Premier League. The competition's most lethal attacking combination is back in tandem. Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne both recently back from long injury absences linked up for the clinching goal in Manchester City's 2-0 win over Everton on Saturday in what will be a worrying sight for the defending champions' rivals. Liverpool remained in first place after a 3-1 victory over Burnley but City is ominously placed on the leader's shoulder, two points behind with a game in hand, and with its superstar attackers back in the groove. Make it 12 times that De Bruyne has set up Haaland for a goal since they started playing together at the beginning of last season following the striker's move to England. No other Premier League partnership has delivered that many goals in this period. With him, I know I'm going to get it perfect. You know the ball is going to come, Haaland said of De Bruyne, English soccer's king of the assists. I watch a lot of football and I already saw

Man Utd's Harry Maguire's appeal in Greek court postponed due to strike

The appeals trial of Manchester United defender Harry Maguire over a nightclub brawl on the Greek island of Mykonos has been postponed for a year because of a lawyers' strike, court officials told The Associated Press. The 30-year-old England international is appealing a 21-month suspended sentence following the incident in 2020. His case was due to be heard on Wednesday at a court on the island of Syros, the region's administrative capital. Yannis Paradeisis, a Syros lawyer assisting with the prosecution and representing four police officers allegedly assaulted in the brawl, said a new trial date was set for March 12, 2025. "The hearing has been postponed. It's because of the lawyers' strikes that have been occurring over the last few months," Paradeisis told the AP. Lawyers and other Greek self-employed professionals are protesting tax reforms announced last year. The strikes have added to a huge backlog in court cases. Maintaining his innocence, Maguire said he intervened to ..

EPL 2023-24: Klopp to step down as Liverpool manager at end of season

Jurgen Klopp has announced he will step down as Liverpool manager at the end of this season. Klopp has led Liverpool to a Champions League title and Premier League championship in his tenure after being hired in October 2015. He made the shock announcement Friday that he will resign at the end of the season, saying he is running out of energy. I have to. I will leave the club at the end of the season. I can understand that it's a shock for a lot of people in this moment when you hear it for the first time, but obviously, I can explain it or at least try to explain it, Klopp said. I love absolutely everything about this club, I love everything about the city, I love everything about our supporters, I love the team. I love the staff. I love everything. That I still take this decision probably shows you that I'm convinced it's the one I have to take. It is that I'm how can I say this? that I'm running out of energy.

Premier League: Tottenham twice comes from behind to draw 2-2 at Man United

Tottenham twice came from behind to draw 2-2 at Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday as British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe attended his first match since agreeing a deal for a partial takeover at Old Trafford. Ratcliffe's agreement to buy a 25% stake and take control of soccer operations has brought some hope to a club that has fallen off the top of the English game under its owners, the Glazer family. But it is a long way back and fans will continue to protest the Americans' involvement, no matter how diminished, with Ratcliffe getting a first-hand look at the challenge he is taking on in the draw with Spurs. The 71-year-old Ratcliffe, who grew up supporting United, sat next to former manager Alex Ferguson in the directors' box at Old Trafford and only had to wait three minutes to celebrate as summer signing Rasmus Hojlund hammered home a shot into the roof of the net. Richarlison headed in a 19th-minute equalizer from a corner for his sixth goal in as many Premier Lea

City's Haaland to miss 9th straight game, Guardiola hopeful of early return

Erling Haaland has been ruled out of Manchester City's Premier League game at Newcastle on Saturday because of a foot injury, and he is likely to be out until the end of January. The Norway striker has missed the past eight games in all competitions though he's still the co-leading scorer in the league with 14 goals. Haaland hasn't played since a 1-0 loss to Aston Villa on Dec. 6. Hopefully at the end of this month he'll be ready," City manager Pep Guardiola said. "It was a little bit more than we expected in the beginning. It's the bone. It needs time. With every injury you can do whatever you want but it's a question of time. On Friday, Guardiola also confirmed that defender John Stones (ankle) won't suit up against Newcastle. Erling is out and John is out, the manager said. The 23-year-old Haaland, who has returned to training, has also scored five goals in Champions League play this campaign. Playmaking midfielder Kevin De Bruyne is set for more minutes Saturday, possibly as

Liverpool defender Alexander-Arnold to miss three weeks due to knee injury

Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold will be sidelined for three weeks because of a slightly torn knee ligament, the team said Tuesday. The right-back hyperextended his knee during Liverpool's 2-0 win over Arsenal in an FA Cup third-round game Sunday. Tests showed a little tear to the lateral ligament, assistant manager Pep Lijnders said ahead of the team's League Cup semifinal first leg against Fulham at Anfield on Wednesday. He will be out probably three weeks big blow, Lijnders said at a press conference. He was one of our most important players. Liverpool leads the Premier League by three points and was already preparing for an extended stretch without top scorer Mohamed Salah, who is on international duty with Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations. Jurgen Klopp's team is also missing left-backs Andy Robertson (shoulder) and Kostas Tsimikas (collarbone), as well as central defender Joel Matip (ACL). Virgil van Dijk is available to play Wednesday after missing the Arsenal g

EPL: Tottenham signs Germany forward Timo Werner on loan from Leipzig

Tottenham signed Timo Werner on loan from Leipzig on Tuesday, giving the Germany forward another shot at the Premier League after his inconsistent stint with Chelsea. The 27-year-old Werner joined Spurs on a six-month deal that included an option to make the transfer permanent this summer. In the short term, Werner would plug a gap left by the departure of captain Son Heung-min to the Asian Cup with South Korea potentially until mid-February. The move could also boost Werner's resum ahead of the European Championship this summer in Germany. Werner played for Chelsea from 2020-22 and helped the London club win the Champions League, but it was still an underwhelming stint in English soccer. He tallied 23 goals in 89 total appearances in his time at Stamford Bridge. Werner returned to Leipzig in the summer of 2022 and scored 16 goals last season. But he's made only four starts under coach Marco Rose this campaign. The speedy Werner said he was encouraged by his discussions with Spur

Werner, Toney, Henderson ... Mbapp? Key players set for possible transfers

It has been a slow start to the January transfer window in the Premier League. Expect that to change pretty quickly. Deals are being mooted, speculation is starting to fly, and sought-after stars like Kylian Mbapp and Ivan Toney have chosen to talk about their future to the media. Here's a look at the situation surrounding some key players and teams: TIMO WERNER Timo Werner might have won the Champions League during his time with Chelsea from 2020-22, but it was still an underwhelming stint in English soccer for the Germany forward. It looks like he'll be returning to England to London again, too in a bid to ignite his career ahead of the European Championship. Werner is widely reported to be close to joining Tottenham from Leipzig, initially on loan, but with a view to a permanent move. In the short term, he would plug a gap left by the departure of captain Son Heung-min to the Asian Cup potentially until mid-February. It's right that Timo wants to go on loan," Leipzig coa

Arsenal to wear all white in campaign against knife crime, youth violence

Arsenal will wear an all-white kit in its FA Cup third-round match against Liverpool on Sunday as part of its campaign against knife crime and youth violence. It will be the first time the Premier League team has worn the kit in a home game for its No More Red ' initiative. Young people face multiple challenges as they grow up in today's world and we don't have all the answers, but we are confident that by acting together and shining a light on the support network available across our community, we can make a significant contribution to the lives of our participants, said Freddie Hudson, Head of Arsenal in the Community. The campaign was launched in 2022 and this is the third season Arsenal has worn a kit drained of the club's traditional red to raise awareness. The Arsenal women's team will wear all white for the first time against Watford in the FA Cup later this month. While the kits are not for sale, a community T-shirt will be sold and Arsenal said 100% of the retail price w

England forward Sancho on verge of Borussia Dortmund return: Reports

England forward Jadon Sancho is reportedly on the verge of returning to Borussia Dortmund from Manchester United. German tabloid Bild reported on Thursday that the clubs agreed on a loan deal for the 23-year-old Sancho to the end of the season, with just minor outstanding details to be finalized. Bild reported Dortmund was to pay around 3 million euros ($3.3 million) for the loan. Sancho fell out of favor with United coach Erik ten Haag and has made only three league appearances as a substitute this season. He hasn't played since August. Sancho joined United from Dortmund for 85 million euros (the $100 million) in 2021. He has nine goals in 59 English Premier League appearances. Sancho previously starred in a four-year spell at Dortmund, scoring 50 goals in 137 competitive games. He joined the German club from Manchester City in 2017. Dortmund is inconsistent this season, arguably overachieving in the Champions League by finishing top in a group with Paris Saint-Germain, AC Milan

EPL: Salah's brace helps Liverpool beat Newcastle to open up 3-point lead

Mohamed Salah headed off to the Africa Cup of Nations on the back of a starring role for Liverpool in its 4-2 win over Newcastle that opened up a three-point lead in the English Premier League. An individual performance that started with his latest failure from the penalty spot ended with Salah scoring Liverpool's first and last goals and having a hand in the other two for his team in a chaotic game in wet and wild conditions at Anfield. All of the goals came in an end-to-end second half. The league pauses for the FA Cup and then a winter break lasting much of the rest of January with Liverpool looking the team most likely to stop Manchester City winning an unprecedented fourth straight top-flight title. City was in third place, five points behind Liverpool and two behind Aston Villa with a game in hand. Salah, who could be missing until mid-February depending on how far Egypt advances in the Africa Cup, could be the player to lead Liverpool to a record-tying 20th league ...

Man United set to enter Ratcliffe era with spotlight on transfer, Ten Hag

Fans of Manchester United know 2024 will be anything but boring as the club tries once again to end a period of on-field decline that has lasted 10 years for the record 20-time English league champions. British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe agreed Sunday Christmas Eve to buy a minority stake in United. The owner of petrochemicals giant INEOS, and a number of sports teams, will also take charge of United's soccer operations. The announcement of the deal, worth around $1.6 billion, came more than a year after American owners the Glazers put United up for sale in November 2022. The deal requires Premier League approval. Here's a look at the people involved and issues likely to be raised by the deal, including the future of United manager Erik ten Hag. JIM RATCLIFFE The 71-year-old Ratcliffe is one of the richest people in Britain and a boyhood United fan from Greater Manchester. He already owns French club Nice and cycling team INEOS Grenadiers. He is a one-third shareholder of the ..

EPL: Inspired by world champion badge, Man City really to beat Everton 3-1

Trailing 1-0 to Everton at halftime, Manchester City didn't much look like the newly crowned Club World Cup champion despite the new golden FIFA badge on the front of the players' shirts. But Pep Guardiola had a simple message to his players at the break. The manager (told us) at halftime to just keep believing, we haven't got this badge for no reason, City midfielder Phil Foden said. "In the second half, yeah, wow, I think we blew them away with the way we played. Foden started the comeback by equalizing in the 53rd minute, before Julian Alvarez's penalty and a late goal by Bernardo Silva secured a 3-1 win at Everton to put the defending champions back into the Premier League's top four. That's why we're the world champions. The best team in the world, Guardiola said with a smile in a post-game interview on Amazon Prime. Now I'm going to remind them every day. We have a standard to keep. The trip to Saudi Arabia for the Club World Cup was perhaps a bit of a distraction and allow

Despair then delight at Old Trafford; Utd beat Villa in 1st game after deal

Welcome to Manchester United, Jim Ratcliffe. In the space of 90 minutes, and in front of soon-to-be director Dave Brailsford, Old Trafford witnessed the best and worst of Erik ten Hag's team. Two days after confirmation that British billionaire Ratcliffe will buy a stake of up to 25% in the club, United trailed by two goals inside 26 minutes against Aston Villa and was booed by the home crowd on Tuesday. Ten Hag's players then produced a spectacular second-half comeback to win 3-2 and spark celebrations rarely seen at its famed stadium during a troubled season so far. We said Keep going. Believe it, in ourselves.' That is what I demand from the team," Ten Hag said afterward. "We said it before the game and during halftime, Keep believing and we will win this game.' Going into the game on the back of a run of four matches in all competitions without a win or a goal, United took to the field for the first time since Ratcliffe, one of Britain's richest people, secured an agreement wor

UK billionaire Jim Ratcliffe acquires 25% stake in Manchester United

More than a year after it was put up for sale, Manchester United said Sunday that British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe had agreed to buy a minority stake in the storied Premier League club. Ratcliffe, who owns petrochemicals giant INEOS and is one of Britain's richest people, has bought a stake of "up to 25 per cent" of the 20-time league champions and will invest USD 300 million in its Old Trafford stadium. As part of the deal, United said Ratcliffe would take responsibility for the club's soccer operations. Ratcliffe, who was born in Failsworth, Greater Manchester, had originally bid to buy American owners, the Glazers', majority share of around 69%. "As a local boy and a lifelong supporter of the club, I am very pleased that we have been able to agree a deal with the Manchester United Board that delegates us management responsibility of the football operations of the club," Ratcliffe said. "Whilst the commercial success of the club has ensured there have always been available fund

EPL have its first female referee, Rebecca Welch to officiate on Dec 23

Rebecca Welch will become the first female referee in the Premier League when she takes charge of the match between Fulham and Burnley on Dec. 23, the competition said Thursday. Welch has already worked as the fourth official in the Premier League, for the match between Fulham and Manchester United on Nov. 4, and she was the first woman to referee matches in the second-tier Championship and FA Cup. Welch has been a referee since 2010, initially balancing the role with her job in the National Health Service before becoming a full-time match official. Other countries have been using female referees for years. In Germany, Bibiana Steinhaus was the first woman to referee a Bundesliga game, in 2017. Steinhaus is married to Howard Webb, who is the current chief refereeing officer of the top refereeing body in England. French referee Stphanie Frappart became the first woman to take charge of a men's World Cup game when she handled Germany vs. Costa Rica in November last year, having ...

Everton gets biggest sporting sanction in EPL history for financial breach

Everton was handed the biggest sporting sanction in the Premier League's 31-year history on Friday for breaching the competition's financial rules, with the deduction of 10 points dropping the team into next-to-last place in the standings. The northwest club reported three-year losses totaling nearly 372 million pounds ($454 million) last season. The league's profit and financial sustainability rules allow clubs to lose a maximum of 105 million pounds ($128 million) over a three-year period or face sanctions. The league referred Everton to an independent commission in March because of the alleged breach of profitability and sustainability rules, following complaints from a slew of rival clubs. A five-day hearing was held last month and the commission has now published its verdict, which sees Everton fall from 14 points to four with immediate effect. That's the same number of points as last-place Burnley. Everton has a superior goal difference. The club, which is planning to move t