Defending champion Rafael Nadal has decided not to play the US Open later this month because the coronavirus pandemic is “not under control”. Spanish world number two Nadal, 34, has not entered the tournament, which takes place in New York from 31 August. “The health situation is very complicated around the world with cases increasing and flare-ups,” said Nadal.
Manchester City have completed the signing of Valencia winger Ferran Torres for 23m euros. He is City’s first summer signing and replaces Germany forward Leroy Sane, who left on 3 July for Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich. The 20-year-old has signed a five-year contract.
Former Real Madrid and Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas has retired from football at the age of 39. Casillas made 725 appearances for Real during a 16-year career at the Bernabeu, winning three Champions League titles and five La Liga crowns. He also helped Spain win the 2010 World Cup and two successive European Championships in 2008 and 2012.
Fulham beat Brentford in the Championship play-off final to secure an immediate return to the Premier League thanks to two extra-time goals from Joe Bryan. The left-back caught Bees goalkeeper David Raya off guard with a free-kick from 40 yards in the 105th minute of the game at Wembley, with the Spaniard expecting a cross and then unable to scamper back and save Bryan’s skidding low effort.
Lazio striker Ciro Immobile won the Serie A Golden Boot and European Golden Shoe as he matched Gonzalo Higuain’s record of 36 goals in an Italian top-flight season. The 30-year-old scored in Lazio’s 3-1 defeat by Napoli on the final day as his side finished fourth. Fabian Ruiz put Napoli ahead before Immobile equalised from close range.
Players who deliberately cough at other players or match officials can be red-carded, say football’s rule-makers and the Football Association. The International Football Association Board (IFAB) said such an offence fell within “using offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures”.
Greek Super League clubPAOK Thessaloniki announced on Sunday their first coronavirus case among players. The side was set to train for the upcoming season when the COVID-19 outbreak was verified with no other player or staff testing positive at this time.
Nigerian international Joe Aribo scooped two awards following his stellar season with Rangers FC on Friday during the club award night.
Didier Drogba officially submitted his bid to become president of the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) in front of a large crowd on Saturday. The 42-year-old is running to head the Francophone West African country’s football governing body against Koffi Kouakou Paul, Sory Diabate and Idriss Diallo, who are the other candidates.
Nélson Dida will replace Gigi Turci and train Gigio Donnarumma and the others next season. Dida has been working for Milan Youth Sector since 2019, coaching the U17 side. Yesterday it was announced that he’s getting a promotion and will be part of Stefano Pioli’s staff for next season.
Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta thanked his former boss Pep Guardiola after his side beat Chelsea 2-1 in the FA Cup final. The Gunners lifted their 14th FA Cup after two goals from captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang cancelled out Christian Pulisic’s fifth minute shot. Arteta worked as an assistant coach under Guardiola at Manchester City from 2016 before accepting the role as Arsenal head coach in December 2019.
Clubs in France’s top two divisions will be allowed to make five substitutions per match next season, the French league (LFP) announced on Friday.
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Eddie Newton has been appointed the permanent manager of Trabzonspor after leading them to victory in the Turkish Cup final. The former Chelsea midfielder and coach led the Turkish club to their first trophy in a decade – with a 2-0 win over Alanyaspor on Wednesday – while in charge on an interim basis. He took charge of the last two matches following the departure of Huseyin Cimsir and has been rewarded for winning both games and lifting the cup by being named manager for the 2020/21 season.
Celtic set a marker in their pursuit of a 10th successive Scottish Premiership title as Odsonne Edouard’s hat-trick helped them trounce Hamilton 5-1 at Parkhead in their opening game of the season. Edouard was the top goalscorer in last season’s Scottish Premiership before it was curtailed in March 2020, and he opened his account after just 20 minutes with a simple finish.
Eddie Howe has left his job as Bournemouth manager by mutual consent. After the Cherries’ relegation to the Championship, Howe said ending his 25-year association with the club was “one of the hardest (decisions) I’ve ever had to make”. “Although the affection and love I have for this football club will always remain, we collectively feel that now is the right time for the club to go in a new direction,” he said, in an open letter to the club’s supporters.
It is “unfeasible” for Barcelona to re-sign Neymar from Paris St-Germain in the current economic climate, says the club’s president Josep Maria Bartomeu. A move for Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez has also been affected. Bartomeu told Spanish newspaper Sport that Barca generated 200m Euros less than expected between March and June because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Arsenal’s talisman Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang worked his Wembley magic once again as they came from behind to beat Chelsea and win the FA Cup for a record 14th time. Chelsea took the lead in the Heads Up FA Cup final inside five minutes through Christian Pulisic’s smart finish but then fell victim to the brilliance of Aubameyang, who was also Arsenal’s hero when he scored twice in the semi-final win over Manchester City.
Japhet Tanganga has signed a new long-term contract with Tottenham, extending his stay at the club until 2025. The 21-year-old defender, who came through the academy system at Tottenham, made his senior debut at centre-back in the penalty shootout defeat to Colchester United in the EFL Cup third round last year.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says winning today’s Heads Up FA Cup final to secure European football next season may persuade captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to stay at the club. Gabon striker Aubameyang, 31, has one year left on his contract. “I don’t have that feeling,” said Arteta when asked if the game against Chelsea would be Aubameyang’s last.
Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil will not feature in Saturday’s FA Cup final against Chelsea after travelling to Turkey. Ozil was left out of Arsenal’s squad for the match and his future looks increasingly uncertain after he was given permission by the club to leave the UK.
