Players who cover their mouths in confrontations with opponents will be shown red cards starting at the World Cup, the International Football Association Board confirmed Tuesday. The decision comes in the wake of a high-profile incident between Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr and Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni, after the latter was handed a six-game ban for anti-gay conduct directed towards the Brazilian.
Coventry are back in the Premier League for the first time in 25 years, with GOAL being told why the likes of Aston Villa, Everton and Brighton will struggle to compete with Sky Blues boss Frank Lampard on the transfer front. Established top-flight outfits may have more money to spend, but Joe Cole believes a “marquee name” at the CBS Arena will help to attract the kind of talent that may prove out of reach to others.
Dunn spoke with GOAL about her favorite on-the-pitch assist of all-time, what passing the ball onto those after her looks like now, and where she wants to see the women's game go.
Manchester United are being linked with Bruno Guimaraes, Elliot Anderson and Aurelien Tchouameni, with Louis Saha telling GOAL who the “better fit” from that trio would be. More big money is set to be spent by the Red Devils in the next transfer window as a natural successor to Casemiro is sought in the Old Trafford engine room. Raids on Newcastle, Nottingham Forest and Real Madrid have been mooted.
Mats Hummels and Benedikt Höwedes have pinpointed Marquinhos as a potential weak link in Paris Saint-Germain’s defence ahead of the club’s showdown with FC Bayern Munich.
Cole Palmer has seen a return to his Manchester roots with United speculated on, and Joe Cole has told GOAL what a potential summer departure from Chelsea will be “dependent” on. The England international playmaker has cut a frustrated figure at times this season, with Champions League qualification seemingly destined to fall out of reach for those at Stamford Bridge.
Cristiano Ronaldo played alongside Michael Carrick at Manchester United, so would the Portuguese GOAT consider a return to Old Trafford if asked to tread that path by the Red Devils’ current boss? Louis Saha, another former colleague of CR7 at the so-called ‘Theatre of Dreams’, has explained to GOAL why record-chasing and bench duty will figure in any future planning from the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.
Liverpool have been advised on how to ensure that Rio Ngumoha continues to play with no fear, with Joe Cole answering wonderkid development and Mohamed Salah replacement questions during an exclusive interview with GOAL. The Reds will have attacking voids to fill at the start of the 2026-27 campaign, but they have been warned against lumping too much pressure on 17-year-old shoulders.
Harry Kane is considered to be the best No.9 in world football, with former team-mate Paul-Jose M’Poku explaining to GOAL why the Bayern Munich superstar sits above Kylian Mbappe on that list. The former Tottenham academy graduate has also speculated on whether the current England captain could be viewed as the greatest striker of his generation and how a late-career positional change may be on the cards.
Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone has addressed reports linking Julian Alvarez with a summer move to Arsenal, acknowledging that the Gunners are among the elite clubs monitoring the Argentine forward. Speaking ahead of their Champions League semi-final first leg against the Premier League leaders, Simeone admitted it is "normal" for his star striker to be targeted by Europe’s top sides.
Manchester United are set to secure the long-term future of midfield starlet Kobbie Mainoo, reaching a full agreement over a lucrative new contract at Old Trafford. The 21-year-old is set to sign a bumper deal that reflects his status as a cornerstone of the club's engine room under Michael Carrick.
Jose Mourinho is reportedly the leading candidate to return to Real Madrid as head coach if Alvaro Arbeloa is sacked. Club president Florentino Perez is reportedly driving the pursuit of the current Benfica boss to lift the squad after a difficult campaign. With a manageable break clause in his contract, the 'Special One' could be set for a sensational second act at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Manchester City defender John Stones has announced he will leave the club at the end of the season, bringing the curtain down on an iconic 10-year stint at the Etihad Stadium. The England international will depart as a free agent this summer following a decade that saw him redefine the role of a modern central defender under Pep Guardiola.
Michael Owen has called on Manchester United to offer Rasmus Hojlund a lifeline at Old Trafford, insisting the Danish striker has not been given a proper chance to succeed. The former United forward believes the 23-year-old, who is currently on loan at Napoli, could be a revelation in the functioning system currently being implemented by interim boss Michael Carrick.
Arsenal face a significant defensive setback as Jurrien Timber missed the final training session ahead of Wednesday's Champions League semi-final first leg encounter against Atletico Madrid. With Kai Havertz also set to be absent following a knock against Newcastle, Mikel Arteta must navigate a growing injury list for the clash at the Wanda Metropolitano. However, the Gunners have been handed a boost with the return of three key stars.
Jack Grealish has found an unlikely ally in former Aston Villa teammate Gabby Agbonlahor after images surfaced of the playmaker appearing to be asleep at a Manchester rooftop bar. The England international, currently sidelined with a season-ending injury, has been the subject of intense scrutiny following his latest afternoon outing.
Barcelona have opened negotiations with Manchester United to secure Marcus Rashford for a second consecutive loan spell. Despite earlier speculation that his time in Spain was coming to an end, Hansi Flick has reportedly given his "green light" for the forward to stay. With financial constraints making a permanent €30m deal difficult, the Blaugrana are hoping to reach a fresh agreement with the Red Devils.
Eder Militao's 2026 World Cup dream is over following the confirmation of a devastating thigh injury that required immediate surgery. The Real Madrid defender reportedly received the heartbreaking diagnosis after consulting with a specialist in Finland, bringing a premature end to his season and his hopes of representing Brazil this summer.
Mohamed Salah is set to reveal his next destination "in a few days," according to an Egyptian national team staff member. The Liverpool legend, who recently confirmed he will depart Anfield this summer after nine years, will be available on a free transfer at the end of the season, and there has been no shortage of interest.
Beth Mead and Katie McCabe are both attracting interest from Manchester City as their respective Arsenal contracts prepare to come to an end, according to a report. Rumours of McCabe's departure have been rife for a while and now it appears she could be joined by her Gunners' team-mate at her next destination, in a move that would see Mead join long-time partner Vivianne Miedema in Manchester.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has no intention of leaving Paris Saint-Germain this summer, according to his father, Badri Kvaratskhelia. Despite persistent reported interest from Arsenal, the 25-year-old winger remains fully committed to the PSG project as the French giants chase back-to-back Champions League titles.
Atletico Madrid star Julian Alvarez has hit out at intensifying speculation linking him with a summer move to Barcelona, labelling the reports a "snowball of lies". The Argentine forward broke his silence during the build-up to Atleti's crucial Champions League semi-final against Arsenal, amid claims that the Catalan giants have already made contact over a blockbuster deal.
Defending champions Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich, widely regarded as Europe’s two best teams right now, will lock horns in the Champions League semi-finals. Here’s a quick preview before Tuesday’s first leg.
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