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NICE, France: Christophe Galtier stood trial on Friday for accusations of racism during his time as coach of his former club Nice and said some of the comments he made during that period had been taken out of context or distorted.
LONDON: Crystal Palace announced the signing of Anan Khalaili from Belgian club Royale Union Saint-Gilloise on Saturday, weeks after the Israel winger’s proposed move to Inter Milan broke down. The 21-year-old Khalaili, who primarily plays on the right, signed a five-year deal “subject to international clearance,” the Premier League team said on their website. British media reported the transfer fee was 24.5 million euros ($28 million). The transfer comes a month after Inter president Giuseppe Marotta said at a press conference that Khalaili had not been given medical clearance to join after the sides had agreed on a transfer. Marotta said: “Italy has very strict legislation protecting players’ health, with decisions made by an independent body rather than the club’s medical staff. We have to abide by this decision.” Inter’s loss is seemingly Palace’s gain. Khalaili developed at hometown club Maccabi Haifa before moving to Union Saint-Gilloise in Belgum in 2024. Khalaili has made 16 appearances for Israel.
LONDON: Liverpool’s double-header against Serie A side Como on Sunday will be a good test ahead of the new Premier League season, manager Andoni Iraola said on Saturday. Liverpool, who lost pre-season fixtures against Leeds United and AS Monaco, will face Como twice on Sunday, with one match to be played behind closed doors before the second at Anfield. Iraola said he took positives from last weekend’s 3-2 defeat by Monaco but acknowledged his side must improve their consistency ahead of the new campaign. “The problem we had, as we had against Leeds in Chicago, was that we were not able to sustain our levels and that is something that can only happen with time and with a lot of hard work on the training ground,” Iraola told the club’s TV channel. “I have spoken many times about the type of team I want to see on the pitch, about the intensity, the intent and the energy we are looking for, and while it is clear that there is still a lot of improvement to come, I believe that we are moving in the right direction.” Iraola said Argentina midfielder Alexis Mac Allister had returned to training after the World Cup, giving him a full squad ahead of the new season, and added that it was now up to the players to deliver consistent performances. Liverpool also strengthened their defensive options by signing Uruguay international Ronald Araujo on a season-long loan from Barcelona last week, with Iraola welcoming the addition of a player of his quality and experience. “I am sure he will settle in quickly and have a positive impact on our squad,” he said. Liverpool will start their Premier League season at Newcastle United on August 23.
LONDON: Arsenal begin the defense of their Premier League title as one of the few clubs untouched by a close season of managerial upheaval that has transformed the landscape of English football. While Mikel Arteta’s methods are tested and trusted at Arsenal after nearly seven years at the helm, it is all change elsewhere with chief rivals Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea all entering new eras with a new man in charge. In total, a record nine Premier League clubs will begin the season with a new permanent manager. Whether the managerial merry-go-round eases the way for Arsenal to win back-to-back titles or sparks one of the most unpredictable seasons in years may prove the defining question.
MANCHESTER: Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca remained tight-lipped about Rodri’s future on Friday amid speculation linking their Spain midfielder with a move to Barcelona, saying “anything can happen” before the transfer window closes. The uncertainty comes the morning after an apparent picture of Rodri traveling on a budget Ryanair flight from Madrid to Liverpool went viral on social media, with the former Ballon d’Or winner spotted carrying a small suitcase bearing his name, national team flag and squad number. “First of all, we already said the transfer window is open, we can buy and sell players, anything can happen,” Maresca told reporters ahead of Sunday’s Community Shield clash against Premier League champions Arsenal in Cardiff. “I’ve just seen Rodri now in the building, I gave him a big hug, he looks good, so we’ll see what happens.” Maresca confirmed the World Cup winner is fit to return to training after undergoing back surgery at the end of July. Asked if he was aware of reports that Chelsea had set a Friday deadline for bids for the London club’s Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez and whether that meant City would be doing any transfer business in the next 24 hours, Maresca smiled and said City will not make any new signings on Friday. While talk of Rodri, a cornerstone of City’s success in recent seasons, potentially leaving the club has dominated the headlines, Maresca insisted his attention was on Sunday’s match rather than the transfer window. “For sure there are things we need to do. For now, how many, I don’t know.
LONDON: Liverpool’s owners have agreed to sell a minority stake in the Premier League club to a consortium including Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. US-based Fenway Sports Group, owners of the 20-time English champions, said they had agreed the deal with 1892 Holdings, a consortium led by British-Indian millionaire Amit Bhatia and also featuring Bezos and Eduardo Saverin, who co-founded Facebook. According to reports, the stake acquired by the consortium is around one-third of the club. American tycoon Bezos is the fourth-richest person in the world, with an estimated net worth of $256 billion. Bezos is not expected to join Liverpool’s expanded board of directors, which will reportedly feature Bhatia as the Premier League club’s vice-chairman. But Bryan Baum, founder of the venture capital firm K5 Sports, which Bezos is using to invest in Liverpool, is set to become an Anfield board member, alongside Saverin’s wife Elaine. “Liverpool has always been built by thinking beyond one season and making decisions with the club’s long-term interests in mind.
LONDON: Liverpool supporters’ group Spirit of Shankly said the interests of the club and fans must come first following reports that a consortium including Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is close to a deal to buy a significant minority stake. Sky News said Bezos was part of an investor group led by Amit Bhatia, the son-in-law of India steel billionaire Lakshmi Mittal, which also includes Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin. Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group confirmed the approach from Bhatia’s group in July. Monday’s Sky report said the consortium was “closing in on a deal to buy a roughly one-third stake in Liverpool,” with FSG preparing to make an announcement “as soon as this week.” Bezos is one of the world’s richest men, with a fortune estimated by Forbes magazine at more than $280 billion, while Saverin’s wealth is put at $33 billion. The 62-year-old Bezos has reportedly explored previous bids for the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks and Washington Commanders, but decided against pursuing either deal. Spirit of Shankly has written to Liverpool asking for more clarity and a meeting to discuss the potential changes. “Putting the interests of LFC and its supporters first is fundamental to us all,” said a statement from the group. “The latest report of a 30 percent sale and the consortium set up to buy it is significant.
GOTHENBURG: Michael Carrick said he had to be “careful” with Mason Mount after the England midfielder was involved in an injury scare during Manchester United’s 1-1 friendly draw with Paris Saint-Germain in Gothenburg on Saturday. Mount, who joined United from Chelsea in 2023, has been hampered by injury problems since arriving at Old Trafford and he lasted less than 20 minutes after starting against PSG. The 27-year-old appeared to suffer a foot injury in Sweden and, following discussions with coaches on the touchline, left the field to be replaced by Tyler Fletcher. “He (Mount) got kicked,” United manager Carrick told reporters.
ELCHE, Spain: Brighton midfielder Facundo Buonanotte will play for Spanish team Elche this season in what is the Argentinian playmaker’s fourth loan spell since joining the Premier League club in January 2023. The 21-year-old Buonanotte, who signed with Brighton from Rosario Central, was loaned to Leicester for the 2024-25 season and split last season between Chelsea and Leeds. Buonanotte played regularly for Leicester but had trouble getting minutes at both Chelsea and Leeds. “Facundo is a talented young player who has continued to develop since joining the club,” Brighton sporting director Mike Cave said in the team’s announcement late Friday.