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MANCITY V REAL MADRID UCL FIXTURE THREATENED BY FRESH COVID-19 POSITIVE CASE

Mariano Diaz has tested positive for COVID-19 and will miss the Champions League clash against Manchester City.

The 26-year-old will not feature against Man City in next month’s Round of 16 second leg tie.

He has also entered a period of self-isolation and quarantine.

Mariano hasn’t started a single game this season and has made just four substitute appearances for Real Madrid.

Man City vs. Real Madrid could now be in serious doubt following the positive COVID-19 not to mention Spain’s recent wave of coronavirus, which has seen the country placed on UK’s quarantine list.

But Madrid have been made exempt from strict rules preventing travellers from Spain coming here without a fortnight’s quarantine.

Though news that there is a positive result within the Spanish side’s camp could prevent the second leg from happening.

The Champions League fixture is currently scheduled for August 7 at the Etihad with Man City leading Real Madrid following their 2-1 victory in February.

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EXPOSED! CAS REVEALS NINE EPL CLUBS WHO OPPOSED MANCITY’S UCL BAN LIFT

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) have confirmed that nine Premier League clubs wrote to them back in March asking them not to lift Manchester City’s European ban.

The Citizens were found guilty of breaching Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations back in February, after the Adjudicatory Chamber of UEFA’s Club Financial Control Body (CFCB) stated that the club had broken the rules by ‘overstating its sponsorship revenue in its accounts and in the break-even information submitted to UEFA between 2012 and 2016’.

Subsequently, the club were handed a two-year ban from Europe and a €30m fine. The former of which has, of course, since been overturned while City will instead have to pay a €10m fine for failing to co-operate with UEFA throughout the process.

CAS confirmed that while City appealed their punishment, nine Premier League clubs wrote to them after the initial ruling pleading for them not to overturn the two-year ban.

Those clubs were: Arsenal, Burnley, Chelsea, Leicester, Liverpool, Man Utd, Newcastle, Spurs and Wolves.

While it makes sense for the European contenders to be keen on another spot opening up in both the Champions and Europa League, it’s interesting to see Burnley and Newcastle among those opposed City’s reinstatement.

Nevertheless, while the likes of Jurgen Klopp and Jose Mourinho lamented the lifting of City’s European ban with the latter labeling the decision as “disgraceful” , City boss Pep Guardiola handed out some particularly harsh words for Arsenal following his side’s exit in the FA Cup semi-finals at the hands of the Gunners and former assistant Mikel Arteta.

“And Arsenal, I have all the respect for what they are on the pitch, not much off the pitch,” he said, due to the Gunners’ then suspected – now confirmed – role in the letter handed to CAS by the group of clubs.

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JURGEN KLOPP WINS SAF MANAGER OF THE YEAR AWARD

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was awarded the League Managers Association Sir Alex Ferguson Manager of the Year trophy on Monday.

Marcelo Bielsa, who oversaw Leeds United’s first return to the Premier League in 16 years, won the Championship equivalent and Chelsea Women’s manager Emma Hayes was handed the Women’s Super League edition of the award.

Klopp guided Liverpool to their first-ever Premier League title and a first title in England’s top flight in 30 years this season, after leading the Reds to a Champions League crown in 2018-19.

After accepting the award, Klopp said: “I’m absolutely delighted to be named the winner of the League Managers Association Manager of the Year Award for this wonderful Sir Alex Ferguson Trophy, named after a man that I admire so much. It feels extra special to win this award because it is voted for by my fellow managers.”

The German coach pipped Bielsa, Wycombe Wanderers manager Gareth Ainsworth and last year’s winner Chris Wilder of Sheffield United to the Alex Ferguson Trophy named after the former Manchester United manager.

“It’s an honour to be in the company of so many managers who have been named as LMA Manager of the Year before, including of course Liverpool managers like Bill Shankly, Bob Paisley, Joe Fagan, Sir Kenny Dalglish and, in recent years, Brendan Rodgers,” Klopp said.

“Everything we have accomplished at Liverpool this year couldn’t have been done without the superb input of my coaching staff; they make us a really special bunch of football brains. I love to work with my coaches, my players and everyone at LFC and, of course, I am thankful for the support from all our wonderful Liverpool fans.”

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson was named the Football Writers’ Association Player of the Year on July 24.

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ARTHUR WANTS BARCA EXIT BEFORE UCL RESTART

Arthur Melo and Barcelona are negotiating the midfielder’s early release from the club following a lack of minutes since his transfer to Juventus was confirmed, sources say.

The relationship between Arthur and Barca has soured in recent weeks to the point that he no longer wants to be involved in the club’s Champions League campaign, which resumes against Napoli on Aug. 8.

Barca’s players underwent the latest round of coronavirus testing on Monday ahead of Tuesday’s return to training to plan for that last-16 second-leg game (they drew 1-1 in Italy).

However, Arthur did not turn up and Spanish sources said that he doesn’t want to be involved in the preparations and would prefer that his Camp Nou stay ended immediately.

Arthur, 23, did not feature in any of Barca’s final six games after the Juve deal, which is worth a potential €82 million, was announced on June 30.

At the time, Barca said Arthur would remain available for selection for the rest of the season, as would Miralem Pjanic for Juventus, who is moving in the other direction for €60m.

However, the Brazil international has grown frustrated by his lack of game time since the deal was confirmed. He wasn’t among the substitutes for the final league game against Alaves, despite Barca having only three outfield changes.

Coach Quique Setien said Arthur claimed he had an ankle problem but the Catalan club did not release a statement regarding any injury, which is customary when players miss matches with fitness issues.

Setien had previously said that Arthur would play for the club again only if it was absolutely necessary.

That could have been the case against Napoli, with midfielders Sergio Busquets and Arturo Vidal both suspended, but the emergence of Riqui Puig has further pushed Arthur down the pecking order, making it highly unlikely he features again before moving to Italy.

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LIVERPOOL EYEING SCHALKE’S KABAK AS DEJAN LOVREN’S REPLACEMENT

Liverpool are reportedly interested in trying to sign Schalke 04 defender Ozan Kabak.

The 20-year-old Turkish centre-back has been at the heart of the Reds’ pursuit for a new defender in the wake of Dejan Lovren’s move away from Anfield.

Lovren has joined Zenit St Petersburg for almost £11 million, and in response to that, Liverpool will attempt to try and make the signing of Kabak a reality.

For now, though, Schalke are demanding a fee of at least £31.8m before agreeing to sell the youngster.

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BRIGHTON COMPLETE SIGNING OF ADAM LALLANA FROM LIVERPOOL

Brighton have confirmed the signing of midfielder Adam Lallana from Liverpool on a three-year contract.

The former Southampton star had been undergoing a medical with the Seagulls but his move has now gone through after celebrating the Premier League title with the Reds last week.

Speaking for the first time since signing with the club, Lallana said it was ‘the perfect match’, admitting it was an easy choice after Brighton made him feel ‘wanted’.

‘I can’t wait, it’s a breath of fresh air coming down here… having my medical done, everything’s new and It’s challenge I’m looking forward to and I can’t wait to get started.

‘The whole infrastructure and ambition around Brighton excites me. There is so much young talent, so much ability.

The manager’s highly sought after and it was a pretty easy choice in the end – especially given how much Brighton have reached out and its nice to know you’re wanted and I think it’s a perfect match.’

His new manager Graham Potter said he was looking forward to working with him and hailed his ‘wealth of experience’, insisting there was ‘no doubting’ his quality.

‘There is no doubting Adam’s quality, and if you look at his footballing CV his ability is clear for everyone to see,’ Potter said.

‘He has played at the very highest level, for both club and country, and achieved great things. He has a wealth of experience alongside his technical quality.

‘The honours he won during his time at Liverpool, and the high regard in which he is held at Anfield, only further underline his ability and character.

‘Adam is a really exciting signing for us, someone I am sure the supporters will be really looking forward to seeing play as and when things are able to begin to return to normal.

‘To have both his experience and quality out on the pitch will be a great addition for us, and I know he will be an excellent role model for our younger players in the squad.

‘I am really looking forward to working with him when we return for pre-season training in a few weeks.’

Lallana posted a picture of himself holding up a Brighton shirt on Instagram. The 32-year-old, who will wear the number 14 shirt, said he ‘couldn’t be more excited’ to begin the new chapter and was ‘proud’ to be linking up with the club.

So a new adventure begins,’ he wrote. ‘Couldn’t be more excited… a club with ambition and hunger to match my own. I’m ready for it. Delighted and proud to be joining the Brighton family. Can’t wait to get started.’

Lallana arrives at Brighton having won a host of trophies for Liverpool in his six years at Anfield. An impressive CV includes the Premier League title, the Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup.

He joined Liverpool in 2014 after catching the eye at boyhood side Southampton and went on to play 178 games for the club scoring 22 goals.

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VALENCIA’S FERRAN TORRES MAY JOIN MANCHESTER CITY

Manchester City could make Valencia winger Ferran Torres their first summer signing to replace Leroy Sane.

Valencia want £40m for Torres, who has a year left on his contract with the La Liga club, and BBC Sport understands the 20-year-old Spain international is keen on a move to Etihad Stadium.

Germany forward Sane left City for Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich.

City, who finished second in the Premier League, are also expected to target central defenders this summer.

England centre-back John Stones, 26, and 32-year-old Argentina defender Nicolas Otamendi fell behind 19-year-old Eric Garcia as a partner for first-choice Aymeric Laporte following the coronavirus shutdown.

Spain Under-21 international Garcia started six of City’s 10 Premier League games after the season restarted in June. Stones, who missed the first two matches with an ankle injury, started only two and Otamendi three.

City director of football Txiki Begiristain has said he is expecting a “strange” transfer window given the campaign will not end completely until the end of August, with the new one starting three weeks later on 12 September.

“We have to be ready,” he told City’s official website. “We have less time than ever, so people will have to move fast. We still have the Champions League, so we have to wait to move forward.”

Begiristain also said it was possible City will play a friendly behind closed doors this weekend to prepare for the Champions League last-16 second leg against Real Madrid on 7 August.

City won the first leg 2-1 in Madrid before the season was suspended in March.

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LEIGHTON BAINES ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT AFTER 13 YEARS AT GOODISON PARK.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MARCH 1: Leighton Baines of Everton during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Manchester United at Goodison Park on March 1, 2020 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Tony McArdle/Everton FC via Getty Images)

Leighton Baines has confirmed his retirement from football after 13 years at Everton.

The 35-year-old full-back made 420 appearances for Everton, captaining the side and scoring 39 goals after joining the club from Wigan in 2007.

Baines, who was also capped 30 times by England and appeared at the 2014 World Cup, announced his decision announced following the club’s 3-1 defeat by Bournemouth on the final day of the Premier League season.

He was offered a one-year contract extension by the Toffees, but has only played 17 times in the last two seasons as Lucas Digne took over as first-choice left-back.

“I am incredibly proud to have represented Everton for the past 13 years and my decision to retire has been a difficult one to make,” Baines wrote in a statement.

“After speaking to my family, I feel now is the right time to end my playing career but I do so with many great memories at this proud football club.

“As someone from the city, Everton means so much to me and it has been an honour to be part of the Club for so long.

“I would like to thank everyone who has supported me during my time at Everton, especially the fans who have been fantastic with me from the moment I signed.”

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CHRIS WILDER: SHEFFIELD UNITED NEEDS BETTER PLAYERS

Sheffield United boss, Chris Wilder has appealed to his management that his team needs some bolstering if they must out perform their current status in the just concluded premier league season.

Speaking after the 3-1 loss to Southampton, Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder admitted that if his side want to progress further up the Premier League table then they need to invest in better players.

The Blades finished 9th on the log despite losing 3-1 to Southampton on final match day.

Chris Wilder’s men outclassed other new returnees to the premier league, Norwich City and Aston Villa, Only Villa managed to escape relegation on final match day after getting a draw against Westham United.

Despite missing out on European football for next season, Chris Wilder believes his team needs more bolstering if they must perform better next season.

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MAN CITY’S DE BRUYNE EQUALS THIERY HENRY’S ASSIST RECORD, BUT INSISTS HE’S SURPASSED IT

Kevin De Bruyne is adamant he has broken Thierry Henry’s Premier League assist record.

The Man City playmaker scored twice and assisted one goal in his side’s final-day 5-0 win over Norwich on Sunday.

That assist put De Bruyne level with Henry’s record (20) from the 2002/03 campaign.

In a 3-0 win at Arsenal last December, De Bruyne harshly had an assist taken off him for a Raheem Sterling goal.

The 29-year-old’s cross took a faint deflection off a Gunners defender before reaching Sterling, who tapped the ball in.
Speaking after the Norwich thumping, De Bruyne appeared to reference that goal and another one.

He said: “I have got two more assists. You guys took two away from me.

“I’m still claiming that one. For me I was already there [level with Henry’s record].”

De Bruyne, who also scored 13 league goals this season, came second to Jordan Henderson as the Liverpool captain won the PFA Player of the Year award.

While Henderson’s stats were nowhere near the Belgium midfielder, he led Liverpool to a first top-flight title in 30 years.

Only Barcelona star Lionel Messi (112) has more league assists than De Bruyne (101) since his arrival in England in 2012.