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EMILIANO SALA’S FAMILY TO TAKE LEGAL ACTION OVER FOOTBALLER’S DEATH IN PLANE CRASH

Emiliano Sala’s family are taking legal action against Cardiff City and French club Nantes after the Argentine footballer died in a plane crash two years ago, British media have reported.

A single-engine plane carrying Sala from Nantes to his new team Cardiff crashed on January 21st, 2019 in the English Channel. He never played for the Welsh side who bought him for a club record £15 million (€17.5 million).

The wreckage was found nearly two weeks later following a privately-funded underwater search and the 28-year-old’s body was recovered three days later. The body of the plane’s pilot David Ibbotson was not found.

Thirteen defendants were named, but proceedings will be delayed with David Henderson, who allegedly arranged the flight, set to stand trial in October.

“The family of Emiliano Sala are asking the coroner to fix the inquest date when she reviews matters, with a date soon after the trial of David Henderson, which has been fixed for 18th October 2021,” their lawyer Daniel Machover was quoted as saying.

“In the meantime, in order to protect their legal rights and remedies arising from Emiliano’s untimely death, the family have commenced civil proceedings in the high court, but will seek agreement to stay those proceedings pending the outcome of the inquest.”

An official investigation by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch revealed the plane crashed after the pilot lost control and the aircraft broke up while flying too fast.

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DE BRUYNE, MAHREZ STAR AS MAN CITY THRASH SAINTS IN SEVEN GOAL THRILLER

Riyad Mahrez and Kevin De Bruyne each struck twice as Manchester City overcame a sluggish start and refereeing controversy to beat Southampton 5-2.

Premier League leaders City were contentiously denied a penalty with the score 1-1 in the first half after Saints goalkeeper Alex McCarthy was adjudged not to have fouled Phil Foden and VAR did not overrule.

But City responded to win convincingly as Mahrez put them ahead and then set up Ilkay Gundogan to make it 3-1 at the Etihad Stadium before half-time.

The Algerian added another after the break and De Bruyne scored a fifth after Che Adams had pulled one back.

De Bruyne had also opened the scoring in the 15th minute with James Ward-Prowse replying from the penalty spot.

The result extended City’s lead at the top of the table to 14 points and saw them return to winning ways after Manchester United ended their run of 21 successive victories at the weekend.

City appeared to be suffering a hangover from that Manchester derby defeat as they began unusually sluggishly.

Yet for all their positivity, Saints were unable to create any clear-cut chances and they were caught out as City took the lead from their first serious attack.

The move was started by Ruben Dias, who picked out Oleksandr Zinchenko with a superb crossfield pass.

Zinchenko then fed Foden and, although his shot was parried by McCarthy, De Bruyne was on hand to thump home off the underside of the bar.

Southampton quickly drew level. Nathan Redmond did well to get between Aymeric Laporte and Dias and force a good save from Ederson.

The trouble continued for City from the resulting corner as Jannik Vestergaard tested Ederson with a powerful header and was fouled by Laporte in the process.

Referee Jon Moss pointed to the spot and Ward-Prowse fired down the middle.

Controversy erupted soon after as City felt they should have had a penalty themselves. McCarthy went in feet first on Foden and appeared to catch him on the ankle after the City midfielder had taken advantage of an error by the keeper.

Moss, presumably thinking McCarthy had got a touch on the ball, gave nothing and City – particularly manager Pep Guardiola on the touchline – were incredulous when VAR did not intervene.

Foden, to his credit, quickly got back to his feet in an attempt to score but the chance was gone.

The incident appeared to unsettle City as Ward-Prowse tested Ederson from distance and Moussa Djenepo fired wide but Mahrez changed the course of the game with two moments of brilliance.

First he restored City’s lead as he cut in from the left to collect a pass from the right and bend a shot around McCarthy from the edge of the area.

Mahrez was then instrumental in making it 3-1 after weaving through the area and firing against the post. Gundogan tapped in the rebound.

The Mahrez show continued as he scored City’s fourth after 55 minutes. He turned in the area from a Foden pass and then skipped round Ward-Prowse before beating McCarthy again.

That was the first of three goals in a frantic four minutes.

Southampton caught the City defence napping to pull one back when Adams benefited from a ricochet to strike from close range.

City replied again as De Bruyne combined well with Foden before expertly placing the ball past McCarthy.

Mahrez and De Bruyne may have felt unfortunate to be replaced after their starring roles but, with City finally in firm control, Guardiola was able to introduce Sergio Aguero for only the third time since January 3.

Adams thought he had claimed a Saints consolation late on but he was flagged offside.

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SECOND LEG OF MANCHESTER CITY-BORUSSIA MONCHENGLADBACH TIE MOVED TO BUDAPEST

Manchester City will head to Budapest to play the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie against Borussia Monchengladbach next week.

UEFA has announced the switch as Germany’s Covid-19 regulations mean the visitors are unable to travel to the UK to play in Manchester as originally planned.

The tie will now take place at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, the same venue where City won the opening leg 2-0 two weeks ago, and remains scheduled for Tuesday, March 16 with an 8pm GMT kick-off.

“UEFA would like to thank Manchester City and Borussia Monchengladbach for their support and close cooperation, as well as the Hungarian Football Federation for their assistance and agreeing to stage the match,” a statement from the European governing body said.

Current restrictions would require Monchengladbach players to quarantine for 10 days on their return to Germany if they travelled to the UK.

Hungary’s 67,000-capacity national stadium, opened in 2019, has been used for several European ties in recent weeks as travel restrictions across Europe cause havoc with Champions League and Europa League fixtures.

Liverpool played their first leg of their Champions League tie against RB Leipzig at the stadium, winning 2-0, and will be back there on Wednesday night for the second ‘home’ leg, switched from Anfield.

Last month, Tottenham also travelled to Budapest to play the first leg of their Europa League tie against Austrian side Wolfsberger, though the return leg was played in London.

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Bruno Fernandes Refusing To Sign New Manchester United Contract

Portuguese star midfielder Bruno Fernandes is reportedly holding off signing a new contract at Manchester United.

United have approached Fernandes with a stunning new contract offer, which would double his current wage if he signs a new deal.

But, according to The Sun, Bruno is seeking assurances over United’s future transfer plans before he signs on the dotted line.

Red Devils manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer warned supporters last week not to get carried away ahead of the summer transfer window.

The Old Trafford legend admitted there will be no massive spending spree as United announced their financial results which were severely impacted by the coronavirus pandemic

That apparently hasn’t stopped United from putting some money aside to give their key man a pay boost, with Fernandes currently one of the lowest-paid of their senior first-team players.

But, it is claimed Fernandes wants assurances that the team will be strengthened to mount challenges for silverware before he commits to fresh terms.

The 26-year-old has had a huge impact at United since his £55million arrival from Sporting Lisbon last January, having managed 35 goals and 21 assists in 63 games for the club.

However, his £100,000-a-week wages are some way below top earner David De Gea’s £375,000-a-week and Paul Pogba’s £290,000-a-week wage packets.

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BRIGHTON ISSUE TWO-YEAR BAN TO SEASON TICKET HOLDER FOR OFFENSIVE POST

Brighton have issued a two-year ban to a season ticket holder as the result of an offensive social media post.

The club have been asked about the details of the post but do not want to give the offender any publicity.

Chief executive and deputy chairman Paul Barber said: “We have made clear our zero-tolerance policy many times over and there is no excuse for abusive and offensive comments being posted online.

“We expect all our supporters to adhere to some basic levels of respect, as the vast majority do, but those who choose not to will be faced with sanctions such as these, and, where appropriate, criminal charges and prosecution.

“In this instance, we thank those of our supporters who highlighted the posting to the club. As a result, the individual concerned has had their season ticket cancelled and a two-year ban imposed.

“We have stopped short of naming the individual or highlighting the post, and we would request others to do the same, as we do not wish to further highlight the behaviour or cause additional offence.”

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HAALAND BRACE HELP DORTMUND DUMP SEVILLA TO REACH UCL QUARTER FINALS

Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland struck in each half as they advanced to the Champions League quarter-finals after a 2-2 draw with Sevilla in their last-16 second leg on Tuesday to complete a 5-4 aggregate win.

The Norwegian notched his 20th Champions League goal in 14 games — and 10th in the competition this season — with a controversial 54th-minute penalty after having tapped in a Marco Reus cutback against the run of play to give Dortmund the lead in the first half.

Sevilla, who made the quarter-finals in 2018 and enjoyed a strong first half, hit back with two goals from Youssef En-Nesyri in the second half, the first a 66th-minute penalty followed by a stoppage-time header to make it 2-2.

Sevilla’s second goal set up a frantic finish, but Dortmund held on to edge through after their 3-2 win in the first leg last month.

The 20-year-old Haaland has become Norway’s all-time top scorer in the competition, with one more goal than current Manchester United coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, as Dortmund reached the last eight for the first time since 2017.

Sevilla, who arrived in Dortmund on the back of three straight defeats, dictated proceedings from the start and had a good effort by Lucas Ocampos early on.

Without injured Jadon Sancho, Dortmund, who lost to Bayern Munich in the league on Saturday, hardly got a look in until Haaland struck with their first chance of the game in the 35th minute.

The Norwegian put the ball in the net five minutes after the restart with a superb effort, but in an extraordinary VAR review, the referee Cuneyt Cakir first disallowed the goal for a foul by Haaland and then awarded Dortmund a penalty for a shirt-pull on the striker minutes earlier.

Keeper Yassine Bounou saved Haaland’s spot kick as well as his thundering rebound but the referee ordered it to be retaken after he said the keeper had moved off the line.

Haaland slotted in on his second attempt to take his goal tally in the competition this season to an impressive 10 goals in his six games.

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UCL: PORTO STUN JUVENTUS TO REACH LAST EIGHT

Ten-man Porto upset Juventus to reach the Champions League quarter-finals on away goals after a 4-4 aggregate draw despite losing 3-2 to the Italian side on Tuesday.

Sergio Oliveira’s extra-time free-kick for Porto’s second goal proved decisive for the visitors.

Porto dominated the first half and took the lead in the 19th minute with Oliveira’s penalty taking them into the break in front as they looked comfortable at the Juventus Stadium.

But with the first attack of the second half Juve’s Federico Chiesa, who scored their goal in the 2-1 last-16, first-leg defeat in Portugal, arrowed a strike into the top corner to give his side hope four minutes after the re-start.

The game turned further in Juve’s favour as Mehdi Taremi needlessly got sent off for picking up a second yellow card in the 54th minute for kicking the ball away, with Chiesa levelling the scoreline on aggregate with his head in the 63rd.

The hosts had chances to win the tie but the game went to extra time and the drama was far from over as Porto won a free-kick which Oliveira drilled home to spark wild scenes of celebration amongst the players and coaching staff.

Adrien Rabiot’s header three minutes from time for Juve ensured a grandstand finish in an enthralling encounter, but Porto held on for a famous victory.

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JOACHIM LOW TO QUIT GERMANY JOB AFTER EURO 2020

Joachim Low will step down from his role as Germany manager following Euro 2020 after asking to end his contract early, the German Football Association has announced.

Low, 61, took over from Jurgen Klinsmann in August 2006 and went on to guide Die Mannschaft to World Cup success in 2014, when they memorably defeated hosts Brazil 7–1 in the semi-finals.

Germany reached the semi-finals of Euro 2016, losing to hosts France, but then suffered an exit at the group stage of the World Cup for the first time in 2018 while also failing to impress in the inaugural UEFA Nations League campaign.

Low, who was assistant to Klinsmann from 2004, had been contracted until the 2022 World Cup, but approached the German Football Association (DFB) to request an early departure following the conclusion of this summer’s delayed tournament.

“I take this step very consciously, full of pride and enormous gratitude, but at the same time continue to be very motivated when it comes to the upcoming European Championship,” Low said on www.dfb.de.

“Proud because it is something very special and an honour for me to be involved with my country and because I have been able to work with the best footballers in the country for almost 17 years and support them in their development.

“I have great triumphs with them and painful defeats, but above all many wonderful and magical moments – not just winning the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

“I am and will remain grateful to the DFB, which has always provided me and the team with an ideal working environment.”

Germany are in Group F at Euro 2020, where they will face fellow heavyweights France and Portugal as well as Hungary, with all their matches set for the Allianz Arena in Munich.

Low has his sights set on leaving the job on a high.

“I still feel the unconditional will as well as great energy and ambition for the upcoming European Championship,” he said.

“I will do my best to make our fans happy and successful at this tournament. I also know that this applies to the entire team.”

DFB president Fritz Keller paid tribute to Low.

“The DFB knows what it has in Jogi, he is one of the greatest coaches in world football,” Keller said.

“Jogi Low has shaped German football like barely anyone else for years and helped it achieve the highest international standing. Not only because of his sporting achievements, but also because of his empathy and humanity.

“The fact that he informed us about his decision at an early stage is very decent.

“He gives us at the DFB the necessary time to name his successor, calmly and with a sense of proportion.”

DFB national teams director Oliver Bierhoff, who was part of the Germany side which won Euro 96 in England, hailed the “special relationship” between the governing body and head coach.

“Under Jogi, the national team once again stood for the joy of playing and attractive attacking football,” the former striker said.

“This team and its players have developed incredibly with him. I regret that our professional paths will separate after the Euros.

“I know that Jogi’s full concentration and energy in the next weeks and months will only be used to prepare for the European Championship and we will continue to have a big common goal in the summer.”

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JAPAN PLANS TO CAP DAILY ARRIVALS AT 2,000 AHEAD OLYMPICS

Japan plans to cap the number of daily arrivals into the country at around 2,000 ahead of the Olympics, according to a newspaper headquartered in Japan.

The country will allow exceptions to its ban on international travellers after its Covid-19 state of emergency is lifted in Tokyo, Nikkei reported on Monday.

The newspaper report added that the proposed number will include Japanese nationals returning to the country, citing individuals familiar with the matter.

Japan has temporarily suspended exemptions allowing foreign athletes to train in the country ahead of the Games as it closed its borders to contain a surge in Covid-19 cases.

The state of emergency in the capital has been extended until March 21st.

More than 70,000 people – including athletes, coaches and media representatives – are expected to enter the country for the Games, Nikkei reported earlier, citing estimates in Japan.

Test events for the Olympics are to start in April. The Games are scheduled to begin on July 23rd.

Last month, Olympic officials unveiled the first of many Covid-19 rules for the Games, starting by banning singing and chanting during events and mandating participants to wear masks at “all times” except when eating, sleeping or outdoors.

Japan has had more than 441,200 Covid-19 cases with the death toll at more than 8,300.

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WESTHAM STILL ON COURSE FOR TOP FOUR AFTER 2-0 WIN AGAINST LEEDS

Goals from Jesse Lingard and Craig Dawson kept West Ham in the hunt for a top-four Premier League finish with a 2-0 win over Leeds at the London Stadium.

The Hammers are back up to fifth after Lingard converted the rebound from his own missed penalty and fellow January signing Dawson crashed in a fine header.

A year ago on Sunday West Ham played their final match before lockdown, a 1-0 defeat at Arsenal which left them out of the relegation zone only on goal difference.

Since then, West Ham have collected 60 points from 34 games and transformed themselves from a side battling the drop to one mounting a genuine challenge for European qualification.

Goals from Jesse Lingard and Craig Dawson kept West Ham in the hunt for a top-four Premier League finish with a 2-0 win over Leeds at the London Stadium.

The Hammers are back up to fifth after Lingard converted the rebound from his own missed penalty and fellow January signing Dawson crashed in a fine header.

A year ago on Sunday West Ham played their final match before lockdown, a 1-0 defeat at Arsenal which left them out of the relegation zone only on goal difference.

Since then, West Ham have collected 60 points from 34 games and transformed themselves from a side battling the drop to one mounting a genuine challenge for European qualification.

The visitors then had the ball in the net twice in the space of two minutes, only for both goals to be chalked off.

First, Costa crossed for Tyler Roberts to tap home but a flag was raised and VAR’s lines confirmed that the Portuguese winger’s knee had strayed offside when Patrick Bamford flicked the ball on.

Moments later Bamford was presented with a tap-in but the ball had just gone out of play when Raphinha cut it back from the byline.

But Leeds’ boom or bust policy was exposed again as West Ham took the lead in the 20th minute with virtually their first attack.

Lingard played a neat one-two with Said Benrahma and skipped into the area, where Luke Ayling clumsily brought him down.

Lingard had wanted to take the spot-kick he won against Sheffield United last month, only for skipper Declan Rice to pull rank.

This time Lingard was allowed to take it, but Rice might well be back on penalties next time as Leeds keeper Ilan Meslier saved the Manchester United loanee’s weak effort.

Fortunately for a relieved Lingard, the ball bounced straight back to his feet and he gratefully tucked in the rebound.

Eight minutes later West Ham doubled their lead, Dawson arriving at the far post to head in Aaron Cresswell’s corner.

The transformation of Dawson has almost been as impressive as that of West Ham – the centre-half who could not get a game in the Championship at Watford earlier this season could soon be a Champions League player.

He almost added a third before half-time but this time his header, from another Cresswell corner, came back off a post.

Bamford should have halved the deficit at the start of the second half when he was put through by Diego Llorente.

The striker had time to let the ball run into his stride and open his body to curl the ball around Lukasz Fabianski, only to send it the wrong side of the post.

At the other end Pablo Fornals took aim from 25 yards and his volley looped over Meslier bounced off the crossbar.

Leeds continued to create chances but Fabianski saved a fierce drive from Raphinha, Bamford lifted a sitter over the crossbar and Dawson capped a man-of-the-match display by clearing a late deflection off Vladimir Coufal off the line.