Author: Akshat Mehrish

The Netherlands captain has called on Europe’s highest governing body UEFA to actually protect the players in cases of racial abuse. On Thursday, Wijnaldum said that players shouldn’t be in a position where they have to think of repercussions if they decide to leave the pitch after suffering racial abuse and that UEFA needs to take a stronger action against racism. The midfielder further revealed that he had put a lot of thought into it but is still unsure whether he would leave the pitch when his side takes on Czech Republic at the Puskas Arena in Budapest in the…

While the writing was on the wall for a while now, the European football governing body, UEFA have confirmed that the away goals rule has been abolished from all club competitions. The UEFA Executive Committee was in a meeting today, where the decision was officially confirmed. Away goals rule has been a part of European competitions since 1965. The basic idea behind the rule was to reward a team if they perform well away from home. Hence, if two teams scored the same number of goals across the two legs, the team that scored more away goals used to advance…

A two-goal display from Juventus striker ensured Portugal’s berth in the Euro 2020 knockout stage. The Juventus star scored both times from the spot and, equalling one record and breaking another. A 2-2 draw against France was enough to ensure Portugal’s place in the Round-of-16 of the UEFA Euro 2020. The Selecao were at risk of elimination ahead of the match, but a brace from talisman ensured that their Euro journey wasn’t cut short after the first stage. Ronaldo’s first of the two goals against France arrived midway through the first half when Portugal were awarded a penalty due to Hugo Lloris’ reckless play inside the…

Manchester United are finally set to complete a deal for Jadon Sancho, one year after originally planned. The Red Devils are reportedly on the verge of agreeing to a deal with Borussia Dortmund, while personal terms with the player have already been agreed upon. After suffering from a public humiliation in their pursuit of Sancho last summer, it seems United are finally set to get their man. An agreement is expected in due course between the Premier League club and Borussia Dortmund, with reports suggesting that the two clubs are not far apart in their respective valuations. Meanwhile, Sancho has already…

Former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has accused his compatriot Bruno Fernandes of not turning up for Portugal at the Euro 2020. The Manchester United attacker has been largely ineffective for the Selecao in Fernando Santos’ cautious system. “Portugal at its highest level can beat anyone. But we need to play with 11 players, in these two matches, Bruno Fernandes was on the pitch but not playing. I hope he turns up against France because he’s a player with incredible potential. He can pass, he can score. He can get penalties, he can score penalties, he can score free kicks.…

In seven days’ time, the Argentine will be able to walk away from the club he has represented his entire professional life. According to Goal, Lionel Messi and Barcelona haven’t yet reached an agreement over the player’s expiring contract. Messi will officially become a free agent on July 1, 2021 – a week from today – meaning that the club will no longer receive a transfer fee should he decide to leave them for another. However, the two parties remain in talks, with the club especially optimistic that an agreement will be reached in due course. Messi came close to leaving Barcelona last summer when disillusionment…

A first-half header by Raheem Sterling was enough to give England a win over the Czech Republic, thus enabling them to finish top of the group. Meanwhile, 2018 World Cup finalists Croatia sneaked into the knockout stages with a win over Scotland. Raheem Sterling nearly gave England the lead in the second minute of the match: the Manchester City winger raced to a lofted through pass by Luke Shaw before lifting the ball over the goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik. But his shot hit the far post, and the ball was subsequently cleared by the Czech defence. England took the lead in the 12th minute of the match…

Mohammed Shami and Ishant Sharma shared seven wickets between them as India made a strong comeback to put New Zealand under some pressure on Day 5 of the World Test Championship (WTC) final in Southampton. The Kiwis ultimately got into the lead, but India’s comeback was quite impressive as they kept any frustrations at bay and stuck to their guns in the first hour of play despite no instant rewards. The wickets followed after the first drinks break as Shami got Ross Taylor out driving a ball that wasn’t full enough in length and soon bowled BJ Watling with one that had the batsman…

Frank De Boer’s Netherlands have risen above expectations at the Euro 2020. While many expected them to be one of the major disappointments of the tournament, they have instead remained perfect so far in the competition. They are joined by Austria in the knockouts. A Georginio Wijnaldum double helped the Netherlands beat North Macedonia in Group C of the UEFA Euro 2020. Frank De Boer’s men won their third straight group game, as a result, and are through to the round-of-16 as group winners. Memphis Depay scored the first of the three goals, putting the finishing touch at the end of an excellent counterattack. Wijnaldum then popped…

Denmark have qualified for the UEFA Euro 2020 round of 16, following an outstanding win over Russia. The Danes needed a little help from Belgium, which the world number 1 provided by beating Finland. For the Danes – and all of the football fraternity in general – the last ten days have encapsulated the lowest lows and the highest highs the sport can offer. Nine days ago, Christian Eriksen lay motionless in the far end of the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen, with a shell-shocked Denmark team forming a wall around him as he received treatment. Nine days later, Denmark are through to the round-of-16…