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Trabzonspor fans stormed onto the field and attacked Fenerbahce players following Sunday’s Super Lig match. The violence erupted after Fenerbahce secured a 3-2 victory at Papara Park in Trabzon.

Bright Osayi-Samuel and Michy Batshuayi from Fenerbahce attempted to intervene while security services intervened. Turkey’s Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya condemned the violence, emphasizing that sports should embody sportsmanship.

Yerlikaya announced that an investigation had been launched, leading to the arrest of 12 fans. FIFA President Gianni Infantino also condemned the incidents, stressing the importance of player safety in football.

The tension escalated in the 87th minute when objects were thrown onto the field after Batshuayi scored the winning goal. Osayi-Samuel and Batshuayi were seen defending themselves against fans who rushed onto the field.

The Turkish Football Federation denounced the events as “unacceptable” and promised to impose appropriate sanctions. Trabzonspor coach Abdullah Avci lamented the chaotic state of Turkish football, while Fenerbahce manager Ismail Kartal called for tolerance and common sense.

This incident is the latest in a series of controversies in the Turkish league during the 2023-24 season, including an assault on referee Halil Umut Meler by MKE Ankaragucu president Faruk Koca in December.

Despite the unrest, Fenerbahce currently sits second in the Super Lig standings, trailing Galatasaray by two points and holding a significant lead over Trabzonspor.

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Midfielder Kristoffer Olsson, formerly of Arsenal, has been hospitalized and placed on a ventilator after losing consciousness at his home, according to his current club Midtjylland. The 28-year-old Swede is believed to be suffering from a severe brain-related illness. Midtjylland provided this update in response to growing speculation about Olsson’s absence from the team.

Expressing deep concern, Midtjylland stated that Olsson’s condition does not seem to be a result of self-inflicted harm or external factors. A team of Danish medical experts is working to diagnose his condition accurately and initiate appropriate treatment.

Olsson, who progressed through Arsenal’s youth system, joined Midtjylland permanently during the 2014-15 Premier League season. He has also played for clubs in Sweden, Russia, and Belgium. The football community, including Arsenal and the Swedish Football Association, has sent messages of support for Olsson’s recovery.

Since his hospitalization, Olsson has been surrounded by family, club staff, and medical specialists. Midtjylland has appealed for privacy and understanding to ensure Olsson’s recovery is as smooth as possible.

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Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez has announced that he will step down from his position at the end of the season. The decision comes after a 5-3 home defeat to Villarreal, leaving Barcelona 10 points behind La Liga leaders Real Madrid. Despite winning the Spanish title in his first full season in charge, Xavi believes the club needs a change in dynamic for the benefit of both the players and the board of directors.

Xavi, a former Barcelona and Spain midfielder, has been a loyal figure for the club, but he feels it’s time to prioritize his mental health. The 44-year-old, who won 25 honors during his playing career at Barcelona, will officially leave on June 30, even though he has a year left on his contract. Xavi stated that the demanding nature of the club, combined with the pressure of the job, has taken a toll on him, and he believes it’s the right moment to step back.

The decision comes after Xavi had previously mentioned that he would “pack his bags” if his players lost faith in him. Despite a response with back-to-back wins, recent defeats in the Copa del Rey and La Liga have led to his departure announcement. Xavi hopes that by revealing his decision now, it will de-escalate tensions and provide a solution for the rest of the season.

Spanish football expert Guillem Balague suggests that Xavi, being a true Barcelona fan and having won the league, may not manage any other team. Balague raises questions about Xavi’s readiness for the Barcelona job, as the club’s president, Joan Laporta, did not initially choose him. The loss of key personnel within the club and the lack of a defined playing style have contributed to the challenges faced by Xavi during his tenure. Balague concludes that Xavi will need to reflect on whether the conditions were right for him to succeed or if his own readiness for the role played a part in the challenges faced.

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Jude Bellingham played a crucial role in inspiring Real Madrid to a comeback victory against Almeria, who initially took a surprising 2-0 lead at the Bernabeu with goals from Largie Ramazani and Edgar Gonzalez. Bellingham scored a penalty in the 57th minute, and Vinicius Jr equalized 10 minutes later. In the ninth minute of added time, Bellingham’s header set up Dani Carvajal for the winning goal.

The dramatic win briefly put Real Madrid at the top of the table, but Girona reclaimed the summit with a 5-1 win over Sevilla. Both Bellingham and Artem Dovbyk of Girona now share the top scorer spot in La Liga with 14 goals each.

Almeria’s midfielder Gonzalo Melero expressed frustration, claiming his team was “robbed” due to several VAR decisions going against them. Goalscorer Gonzalez also emphasized the need for fairness in the competition. Despite Real Madrid being expected to dominate against Almeria, the visitors shocked the hosts with an early goal and extended their lead in the 43rd minute.

Real Madrid’s debatable penalty, awarded after VAR intervention, allowed Bellingham to score from the spot. Controversial goals, including one from Vinicius Jr initially ruled out for handball, further fueled Almeria’s discontent. Almeria boss Gaizka Garitano was sent off for dissent as Real secured the victory in the ninth minute of injury time.

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti acknowledged Almeria’s frustration but defended the VAR decisions, describing the game as strange and citing fatigue in his team during the first half.

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The head of A22, the organization behind the revived European Super League (ESL), believes that fans and clubs can be persuaded to support the new proposal. In 2021, the original ESL, involving 12 teams, faced strong opposition and collapsed within 72 hours. However, the European Court of Justice recently ruled against banning clubs from joining such leagues, leading to the announcement of a revamped ESL.

Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin dismissed the new proposals, stating that football is not for sale and jokingly looking forward to a two-team tournament. Five of the six Premier League teams that initially supported the breakaway plans in 2021 expressed commitment to Uefa competitions.

A22’s new proposal suggests a league system with 64 men’s clubs and 32 women’s clubs, featuring an annual promotion and relegation system with no permanent members. A22 CEO Bernd Reichart stated that the proposal addresses the concerns raised by critics of the original ESL, focusing on an open, accessible, and meritocratic league system alongside domestic leagues.

Reichart refrained from naming interested clubs but emphasized the importance of convincing both clubs and fans. The proposal aims to prioritize players’ health by aligning with the current football calendar, without increasing the number of matchdays.

Domestic leagues, including the Premier League, swiftly condemned the new project, reiterating their rejection of any breakaway concept. Despite the ECJ ruling, Uefa sees it as an opportunity to improve regulations, and Ceferin highlighted the need to maintain the connection between domestic and European football.

Champions League holders Manchester City and other previously involved Premier League clubs affirmed their commitment to Uefa competitions. The ESL saga, which began in 2021, faced criticism and opposition, leading to the withdrawal of several clubs. Ceferin mocked the new proposal, expressing skepticism about its closed nature and comparing it to the rejected 2021 version.

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The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has ruled that banning football clubs from joining a European Super League (ESL) was unlawful, asserting that UEFA and FIFA were “abusing a dominant position.” The case was brought by the ESL and its supporters, who argued that UEFA and FIFA were violating competition law by threatening sanctions against those participating in the breakaway league.

The ECJ, the highest court in the European Union, found against UEFA and FIFA, stating that this did not automatically approve a breakaway league. This decision is perceived as a setback to the authority of UEFA and FIFA in governing the game.

UEFA expressed confidence in the strength of its rules implemented since the ESL proposal, assuring compliance with relevant European laws. They trust that football’s existing structure will be protected against breakaway threats by European and national laws.

Barcelona, one of the original ESL clubs, sees the verdict as paving the way for a new competition. ESL backers A22 have released revised proposals, including a women’s European tournament with a league system involving promotion and relegation for both men’s and women’s competitions.

The initial ESL, designed as a midweek competition with 12 founding clubs, faced backlash for exclusive privileges and perceived greed, leading to widespread protests. The ECJ report emphasizes that FIFA and UEFA must ensure transparent, objective, non-discriminatory, and proportionate powers when new competitions potentially enter the market.

The report states that FIFA and UEFA, lacking such criteria, are abusing a dominant position, and their rules on approval, control, and sanctions are unjustified restrictions on the freedom to provide services. However, the ruling does not specifically address the approval of the Super League project.

Bernd Reichart, CEO of A22, claims the ESL has won the right to exist, asserting that UEFA’s monopoly is over, and clubs are now free from sanctions and able to determine their future. Real Madrid, still interested in the ESL, welcomed the ruling, stating that clubs are now the “masters of their own destiny.”

The ESL controversy began in April 2021, involving 12 teams, including English giants. Despite initial fines by UEFA, the plans collapsed within 72 hours due to widespread condemnation. Real Madrid and Barcelona remain interested in the ESL, while La Liga emphasizes the need for an open format in European football.

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On Monday, Granada’s La Liga match at Nuevo Los Carmenes stadium against Athletic Bilbao is set to resume after being interrupted on Sunday due to a tragic incident. The game was halted after 17 minutes following a cardiac arrest suffered by a Granada season ticket holder, leading to its eventual abandonment an hour later. La Liga has now confirmed that the match will recommence from the 17th minute, with Athletic Bilbao holding a 1-0 lead from Inaki Williams’ earlier goal. The restart is scheduled for 20:00 GMT, and attendees with tickets from the original match will be permitted entry.

Granada expressed their condolences to the family and friends of the deceased supporter and extended sympathies to the entire Granada community. The incident prompted a display of sportsmanship, with Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Unai Simon earning applause from Granada supporters for alerting officials to the situation in the stands. Subsequently, players from both teams left the pitch 20 minutes after the initial suspension of the match.

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Spain’s Aitana Bonmati, 25, clinched her first Women’s Ballon d’Or after a stellar year with Barcelona and the Spanish national team. Her contributions led Barcelona to triumph in both the Spanish top flight and the Champions League, while she played a significant role in Spain’s World Cup victory. Additionally, she was honored as UEFA’s Player of the Year in August.

Among the nominees were several English players, with goalkeeper Mary Earps placing fifth, Rachel Daly at 10th, and Millie Bright and Georgia Stanway also in the running. Second place went to Chelsea and Australia’s Sam Kerr, while Barcelona and Spain’s Salma Paralluelo secured third place, and Fridolina Rolfo of Barcelona and Sweden finished fourth.

In her acceptance speech, Bonmati expressed her pride in winning the award, acknowledging the collective effort of her teammates and staff. She also commended her fellow nominees, emphasizing the responsibility of athletes as role models both on and off the field, advocating for a more inclusive and peaceful world.

Bonmati’s World Cup success with Spain was marred by controversy surrounding Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales, who was criticized for allegedly kissing Jenni Hermoso without her consent after the final. During the tournament in Australia and New Zealand, Bonmati netted three goals, helping Spain secure victory against England in the final.

With four league titles and two Champions League titles under her belt, Bonmati continues to solidify her reputation as a key player for Barcelona. This year marked the fifth edition of the Women’s Ballon d’Or, with Bonmati’s teammate Alexia Putellas having won the prestigious award in the previous two years.

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Lyon has cautioned about the possibility of a more severe disaster following an assault on their team bus in Marseille, where manager Fabio Grosso and assistant Raffaele Longo were reportedly injured by projectiles. The incident occurred before the scheduled Ligue 1 match between Marseille and Lyon.

In response to the situation, Lyon expressed their concern, emphasizing that such incidents have been recurring in Marseille annually. They urged the authorities to address the seriousness and frequency of such attacks before a more catastrophic event takes place.

Initially intending to proceed with the match, Lyon reconsidered following news of Grosso and Longo’s injuries and the impact on the players’ mental state. Lyon president John Textor expressed his frustration, highlighting the dangerous objects, including beer bottles, that caused Grosso’s injuries.

Marseille, while deploring the unacceptable incidents, denounced the violence and emphasized that it has no place in football or society. They wished for a swift recovery for Grosso and hoped for a prompt resolution to the situation, acknowledging the disappointment of the fans who were unable to attend the match.

The game was ultimately postponed, prompting widespread condemnation from various quarters, including the French sports minister and FIFA president, who both stressed the need to eradicate such acts of violence in football. French football expert Julien Laurens also expressed dismay, labeling the incident as a detrimental portrayal of French football.

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Mainz, the Bundesliga club, has suspended Dutch winger Anwar El Ghazi from both training and games due to a social media post concerning the Israel-Gaza conflict. The club deemed the post “unacceptable” and emphasized that El Ghazi had taken a stance on the ongoing conflict that did not align with the club’s values.

El Ghazi, who joined Mainz this summer after stints at Aston Villa and Everton, has participated in three league games since his transfer.

In response to the incident, Bayern Munich has reportedly planned to hold a detailed meeting with full-back Noussair Mazraoui after the player shared a pro-Palestinian video on Instagram.

Similarly, French prosecutors are investigating Nice defender Youcef Atal for allegedly posting an antisemitic video on social media regarding the Israel-Gaza situation. Both Mainz and Bayern Munich have been contacted for further comment on the matter.

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