Champions League hopefuls Aston Villa held to draw at relegated Burnley
Aston Villa suffered a European hangover as they could only draw 2-2 with relegated Burnley at Turf Moor.
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Liverpool booed in draw with Chelsea, Bournemouth dream of Europe
LONDON, May 9 : Liverpool failed to wrap up Champions League qualification as they were held to a 1-1 draw by visitors Chelsea on Saturday, with Bournemouth moving into sixth place with a 1-0 victory at Fulham in which both sides ended with 10 men.
Iran says will play in World Cup, demands hosts accept conditions
TEHRAN: Iran’s football federation said on Saturday that the men’s national team will take part in the 2026 World Cup this summer, but demanded that joint hosts the United States, Mexico and Canada agree to its conditions amid the Middle East war.The call comes after Canada refused entry to the federation’s chief last month before the FIFA Congress because of his links to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the ideological arm of Iran’s military, which it designated as a terror group in 2024.Iran’s presence at the tournament, which will take place between June 11 and July 19, has been shrouded in uncertainty since the eruption of war in the Middle East in February following strikes by the United States and Israel.“We will definitely participate in the 2026 World Cup, but the hosts must take our concerns into account,” the Iranian federation said on its official website.“We will participate in the World Cup tournament, but without any retreat from our beliefs, culture, and convictions.”The Iranian football federation (FFIRI) president Mehdi Taj told state TV on Friday that Tehran has 10 conditions for attending the global spectacle, seeking assurances over the country’s treatment.The conditions include visas being granted and respect for the national team staff, the team’s flag and its national anthem during the tournament, as well as demands for high security at airports, hotels and routes to the stadiums where they will play.US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has insisted that Iran’s footballers would be welcome at the tournament.But he warned that the US may yet bar entry to members of the Iranian delegation with ties to the IRGC, which it also designates as a terrorist organization.“All players and technical
Liverpool alter their future ticket pricing plans after backlash from supporters
Liverpool have altered their future ticket pricing plans after a supporter backlash.
Steel and stardust carry PSG to second straight Champions League final
PARIS, May 7 : Paris St Germain were supposed to have moved beyond the era of glittering individuals and galactico excess, but their march to a second straight Champions League final suggests they may simply have entered a new version of it.
Iranian FA says will meet FIFA to seek World Cup assurances in next few days
Iranian football chief Mehdi Taj said on Wednesday he will have a meeting with FIFA President Gianni Infantino in the next three or four days at which he would seek assurances that his country will be respected at the World Cup in the United States.Canada, which is co-hosting the June 11 to July 19 World Cup with the US and Mexico, said it refused entry to Taj last week because of his links to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).Taj said on Tuesday that Iran would not take part in the tournament if FIFA could not guarantee respect for the country’s institutions in the US, where the team will be based and play all three of their group matches.“We will tell (FIFA) what our expectations are.
Iranian FA chief says FIFA guarantees over IRGC respect essential for World Cup trip
May 6 : Iranian FA (FFIRI) chief Mehdi Taj says FIFA must guarantee that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is not insulted by the United States if the national team is to travel to the country to play at the World Cup in June.
Australia's Smith confident LIV will go on after Saudi pull-out
May 6 : Former world number two Cameron Smith has shrugged off concerns the LIV Golf tour's days are numbered, saying he had been given every assurance it will continue beyond this year despite the loss of Saudi Arabian backing.