British Prime Minister David Cameron was expected to lobby a key FIFA official here Tuesday as England launched a heavyweight charm offensive to secure votes for their 2018 World Cup bid.
Cameron was due in Zurich to meet Trinidad football official Jack Warner head of the North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) region whose support is seen as crucial to England s chances.
England 2018 officials declined to confirm the meeting but British media and Trinidad newspaper Newsday reported the two men were due to have a private lunch in Zurich following an invitation from Cameron two weeks ago.
As president of CONCACAF, Warner could conceivably deliver three vital votes in Thursday s secret ballot of FIFA s 22-member executive committee.
Gareth Southgate believes Phil Foden s starting position is less important than the spaces he is allowed to attack, pledging to find a way of letting him operate centrally at Euro 2024.
Foden was included in England s 33-man preliminary squad on Tuesday, and he is expected to be among the first names on the teamsheet after enjoying a fine campaign.
Foden was named Premier League Player of the Season as he helped Manchester City win an unprecedented fourth straight title, scoring 19 goals and adding seven assists.
Only three players in the league bettered Foden s goal tally, while he also ranked seventh in the division for chances created (73) and fourth for possession won in the final third (35 times).
Foden scored two excellent goals as City clinched the…
With the new Champions League format getting underway this week, we are treated to a stacked European schedule.
Watching the action role onto Thursday night, the likes of Arsenal, Barcelona and Bayer Leverkusen will steal centre stage.
So, for those of you looking to stick on a midweek Champions League flutter, we have taken a look at some of the most appealing European betting tips.
17:45 Feyenoord vs Bayer Leverkusen
While Bayer Leverkusen might have suffered real Europa League heartbreak back in May, Xabi Alonso’s men embarked on what was a sensational domestic fairytale. Storming their way to a maiden Bundesliga crown and receiving a string of plaudits from across the globe, Thursday’s guests did not suffer a single defeat from any of their 34 …
Best Odds: 4/6
Bookmaker:
Looking to extend on their Serie A title charge on Wednesday night, Inter Milan will welcome Atalanta to the San Siro.
Inter Milan
Starting with the hosts, making another domestic statement over the weekend as they breezed their way to a 4-0 romp away at Lecce, Inter Milan are enjoying a remarkable purple patch. Opening their Champions League knockout stage adventure with a 1-0 win against Spanish heavyweights Atletico Madrid earlier in the month, Simone Inzaghi’s men have won all of their previous 10 straight appearances across all competitions. With that run stemming all the way back to a 1-1 stalemate against Genoa on December 19th, the Nerazzurri will simply be looking to make another statement here. Making their return to the Sa…
Aston Villa are interested in signing Joe Gomez from Premier League rivals Liverpool in the summer transfer window, according to . The report has claimed that Gomez is exploring his options after being left out of Liverpool’s matchday squad against Ipswich Town in the Premier League on Saturday.
The Times has claimed that Liverpool are actively looking to push Gomez out of the door, but the club and the player have held grown-up talks over his future. Virgil van Dijk, Jarell Quansah and Ibrahima Konate are the three main centre-backs in new manager Arne Slot’s team, which has led to Gomez considering a move to a club where he would get regular playing time.
Gomez is a very versatile player who can play at centre-back, right-back and left-back, and even in a defensiv…
Randal Kolo Muani s brace was enough to see 10-man France claim an important 2-1 triumph over Belgium in their Nations League Group A2 clash on Monday.
Kolo Muani netted either side of Lois Openda s first-half header before the visitors saw out the remaining 14 minutes after Aurelien Tchouameni s dismissal for two bookable offences.
Belgium had the opportunity to take the lead when William Saliba s untimely slip wiped out Openda, only for Youri Tielemans to blaze his spot-kick over the crossbar.
Didier Deschamps side made no such mistake from 12 yards soon after, with Kolo Muani converting after Wout Faes handball to hand France the lead in the 34th minute.
Openda restored parity on the stroke of half-time, nodding Timothy Castagne s cross beyond Mike Ma…
Neymar has urged Brazil fans to show patience after the host nation belate
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dly got their Olympic campaign up and running with a 4-0 win over Denmark.
Brazil were held to lacklustre 0-0 draws by South Africa and Iraq in their opening two Group A matches at Rio 2016 but booked a quarter-final spot with a resounding 4-0 win over Denmark on Wednesday.
Gabriel Barbosa scored a brace either side of Gabriel Jesus and Luan finding the net, while Neymar schemed inventively throughout.
We wanted to win from the beginning, but sometimes the results do not reach the targets, the Barcelona star told reporters.
I know it s hard, but I ask the fans to be patient and do not criticise. Support us because that s what we need – love and help from the people. …
Sophia Smith s extra-time strike booked the United States a place in the Olympic Games final with a 1-0 win over Germany on Tuesday.
Mallory Swanson was denied a winner in normal time, and though Germany pushed for a late equaliser, Emma Hayes will take charge of a final in her first tournament as the USA s head coach.
Unlike in the group-stage meeting between these sides, which finished 4-1 to the dominant Stars and Stripes, it was Germany who almost took a first-half lead, with Alyssa Naeher reacting quickly to get down and push Jule Brand s low shot wide.
In the 86th minute, Mallory Swanson thought she had snatched a late winner – she latched onto Trinity Rodman s throughball and drilled her low shot across goal into the bottom corner, but the offside flag …
Saturday s 4-1 over Augsburg confirmed Bayern Munich s status as Bundesliga champions for a sixth season in succession.
Bayern have won the title at a canter their glory was secured with five matches still to play. Success has looked a formality for a long time, with Jupp Heynckes whipping the side into shape.
But at the start of the season there were few indications the campaign would go as it has, as Borussia Dortmund sat at the top of the pile while Bayern looked sluggish and fell behind.
Yet here we are at the start of April, with Bayern and Heynckes lifting the trophy while soaked in Paulaner.
However, that does not tell the whole story of how Bayern cruised to a 28th Bundesliga title.
CIAO, CARLO
Carlo Ancelotti s Bundes…
It was announced here last night that Czech Republic and Arsenal winger was rushed to hospital in the capital after having, what was originally believed to be a bad reaction to the injections administered to him in his knee. He had complained of feeling sick and agonising headaches.
He had been on the road to recovery after last having played for Arsenal in January of this year.
It was revealed at the hospital that he has been diagnosed with bone-marrow edema.
It is extremely unlikely that he will ready before the end of the year.
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