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With number of infected cases due to the COVID-19 pandemic on the rise in India, Manoj Badale, majority owner at Rajasthan Royals, feels the prospect of a “shortened” tournament is increasing, but even that would be subject to collaboration between the BCCI and other cricket boards.Badale also said that he would prefer some form of IPL this year, including a version that is played just between the Indian players in case their overseas counterparts cannot join in.Responding to the directives from the Indian government recently, the BCCI postponed the IPL until April 15. A prompt start, though, looks highly unlikely with the world’s second-most populous country under lockdown till April 14 to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus, which has infected over 800,000 people worldwide.The BCCI had met the IPL owners earlier this month to update them on the plans to keep the tournament alive. The owners were also told they would be on a weekly call to review the situation as it develops, but the lockdown has complicated matters.Talking to last weekend, Badale admitted that the IPL “pales into insignificance in terms of things we should be really be thinking about right now,” but pointed out the owners had been in touch with BCCI to find a solution.”We have a number of calls as owners with the BCCI to talk about what those plans might be, but it is clearly going to be postponed and it is unclear at this stage whether or not it takes place later this year,” he said.The number of COVID-19 cases in India is currently over 1200, including 32 deaths, but the country is bracing for a surge in those numbers. Badale, who lives in the UK, which is one of the pandemic’s hot spots with over 1000 deaths, said India would not be able to escape the “profound” impact of this disease.Asked about the possibility of the BCCI deferring the IPL and carving out another window later this year, Badale said: “The cricket calendar is so packed. There are very few gaps especially for a seven-week tournament, so I suspect even if a gap can be found, it would have to be a shorter tournament.”And the uniqueness of the IPL is it gets the very, very best around the world so it is not just a collaboration between the BCCI, the owners and the Indian government, you need the collaboration of the other cricket boards as well. Because what makes the IPL special is the presence of not just the Kohlis and the Dhonis, but also the Stokeses and the Warners and the Butlers.”With every cricket board being forced to postpone their bilateral and domestic events, it is unlikely they would grant permission for their key players to participate even in a shortened IPL if it were to be played later this year. Would the Royals be happy to feature in an event comprising just Indian players?”If it was a choice of no IPL or a domestic player-only IPL I would choose the latter,” Badale said. He also insisted it would be possible to make up some “very compelling teams” with just the Indian players although his preference was for a combination of the “very best in the world” with the “very best in India.””I think we will have some form of tournament this year. It will probably be a shortened tournament,” Badale added. “As long as people are prepared to be creative and as long as boards are prepared to work together collaboratively, it [IPL] is hugely important to the game of cricket. It is not just of importance to the Indians that the IPL takes place.”It is important for the whole game. It is [important] economically for some of the best players in the world. It is economically meaningful for the event organisers and for the broadcasters that participate. So the trickle down effect of a tournament as big as the IPL not taking place in terms of its impact on more than just the players but (also) all the people whose livelihoods depend on it is pretty significant. So we have a responsibility to try and a find a way of playing it if we possibly can.”The IPL has previously been able to adjust to difficult circumstances like in 2009 when the entire tournament had to take place in South Africa because it coincided with India’s general elections. For the same reason, part of the 2014 edition was shifted to the UAE at short notice.

Newcastle United's torrid luck with injuries so far this season has taken another turn for the worse after defender Sven Botman was ruled out for up to nine months.

The 24-year-old originally injured his knee in the game against Brentford back in September, with the Dutchman and the club deciding against surgery with the defender sitting out until mid-December in the hope the injury would heal itself.

However, it was unsuccessful, with his latest scan confirming he'd torn his ACL, and it would require surgery, with the former Lille defender potentially missing the remainder of 2024.

His injury leaves Eddie Howe's side light in the centre-back department, with Fabian Schar, Dan Burn and Jamaal Lascelles the only three senior central defenders at his disposal.

The extent of the injury means the Magpies may have to look for reinforcements in the summer window, with the club needing to target one player to fill the void left by Botman.

The man Newcastle need to sign this summer

Despite the club's huge investment of over £450m in the last couple of years, the club have always struggled for depth at centre-back.

Howe and the hierarchy should look to combat this by signing Juventus' Brazilian centre-back Gleison Bremer. The 27-year-old has excelled in Italy since his move from fellow Serie A side Torino back in 2022 and has been linked with a move to the Toon in recent days via reports in Italy.

He initially joined Juve for £35m, with his performances for the Old Lady catching the eye of multiple sides all over Europe, with the likes of Manchester United and Inter Milan previously interested in signing him.

Bremer has been brilliant at the heart of Massimiliano Allegri's defence, with the Brazilian featuring for 90 minutes in every game he's been available for – barring one game where he was suspended.

His good form in Italy this season has seen the former Torino defender receive a call-up to the Brazilian national setup for the friendlies against England and Spain over the next couple of weeks.

He certainly wouldn't be a cheap addition, with the "incredible" defender, as dubbed by Italian football expert Conor Clancy, potentially set to cost in the region of £43m. That said, he would certainly improve the Magpies' defence tenfold.

Botman v Bremer this season

When comparing the stats between the two central defenders during the 2023/24 campaign, it's clear that Bremer is a great talent and one that Newcastle should go all out for in the summer.

The Brazilian is dominant in all areas, with the 27-year-old's tally of 2.9 aerials won per game clear of that of Botman, who can only manage 2.2.

Defensively, the Juventus defender is much more well-rounded than the Dutchman, with Bremer averaging more tackles than the Magpies' number four.

Aerials won

2.2

2.9

Tackles

1.3

1.8

Interceptions

0.6

1.3

Successful take-ons

0

0.3

Progressive passes

2.3

3.2

Given the stats in the table, it's clear that the Brazilian is able to read the game more, with his tally of 1.3 interceptions per game more than double Botman's, with the 24-year-old trailing with only 0.6.

Despite averaging a better pass percentage, Bremer's tally of 3.2 progressive passes reflects that the Juve centre-back likes to play forward more than Botman, with the Magpies defender unable to get close to his tally.

Bremer certainly possesses a lot of qualities that would be of use to Newcastle boss Howe, with the 46-year-old needing to make the 27-year-old his top target this summer to cover for Botman and eventually partner the Dutchman when he returns from his long-term injury layoff.

أعلن المدير الفني للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي نيس، فرانك هايس، عن قائمة اللاعبين الذين سيخوضون مباراة تفينتي في إطار مواجهات الدوري الأوروبي.

ويلتقي الفريقان في تمام الساعة الثامنة إلا ربع بتوقيت “القاهرة” على ملعب “أليانز ريفيرا”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. محمد عبد المنعم بعد مشاركته أمام بريست: فوز يمنحنا الثقة بملعب صعب

Les 𝙉𝙄𝘾̧𝙊𝙄𝙎 pour ce soir 🦅#OGCNFWE I #UEL pic.twitter.com/2kALLvKGZr — OGC Nice (@ogcnice) November 7, 2024

وشهدت قائمة نيس غياب محمد عبد المنعم مدافع منتخب مصر ولكن لسبب غامض خاصة وأن اللاعب قد شارك أساسيًا في آخر 4 مباريات آخرها بريست في الدوري الفرنسي.

ويقدم محمد عبد المنعم أداءً مميزًا مع نيس منذ انتقاله في نهاية الميركاتو الصيفي الماضي حيث شارك في 7 مباريات محلية وقارية.

وكان محمد عبد المنعم قد انتقل إلى صفوف نيس قادمًا من الأهلي مقابل 4.2 مليون يورو ليكون ثاني اللاعبين المصريين في فرنسا بعد مصطفى محمد مع نانت.

Final warm-up for Test series ends in stalemate but with valuable lessons learnt

George Dobell in Whangarei 17-Nov-2019England had to settle for a draw in Whangarei as a stubborn ninth-wicket partnership provided an example of some of the challenges likely to confront them in the Test series against New Zealand.At just after 3pm, with New Zealand A eight wickets down and around 35 overs left in the match, England will have fancied their chances of securing a victory that looked most unlikely at the start of play. But some admirable defiance from William Somerville and Ajaz Patel saw the hosts survive for another 22.4 overs and secure a hard-fought draw. When they came together, the lead was just 26; by the time England settled for some early handshakes, the lead was 66 and time was running out.These matches aren’t really about the result, of course. They are about preparation for the Test series. And in that context, England will be pretty pleased with their workout against good quality opposition and in conditions which challenge them.Joe Root watches from the dressing rooms during day three of the tour match between New Zealand A and England•Getty Images

This is what they wanted. While they may have been encouraged by the ease with which they breezed through a West Indies President’s XI at the Three Ws Oval in Barbados in January – that President’s XI side were, ridiculous though it sounds, 200 for 19 at one stage – the worth of such experiences was betrayed when the Test series started and they encountered a far more motivated Test side which simply blew them away. The lesson, it seems, were that first-class warm-up matches provide far more intense and valuable preparation.So England will, up to a point, have relished the fight. And while there may have been moments when the bowlers quietly cursed the flat pitch and a kookaburra ball that refused to yield to their attempts to make it swing, the management know that it is only by improving in such circumstances that England can look to the away Ashes series in two years with any degree of confidence. And that, it is becoming more clear by the day, is England’s new priority.What did we learn here? Well, it is clear already that England, in such conditions, are heavily reliant upon Jofra Archer. He looked a threat – both in wicket-taking and physical terms – in each one of his three spells in the second innings. Despite the suspicion that he is still holding back just a little before the Tests, he was bowling with impressive pace and consistency by the end of the game. Joe Root was, no doubt, quite right not to push him into longer spells in such an encounter.Archer apart, however, England struggled to find a wicket-taking edge once the ball had lost a bit of its hardness and shine. Stuart Broad, who appeared to be striving for rhythm in the first-innings, looked far more fluent in the second but, without much help from seam or swing, was generally forced into a holding role. Jack Leach, too, struggled to offer much threat, though he did concede under 2.50 an over for the second time in the match. Ben Stokes might, if pressed, have performed the role of fast-bowling back-up to Archer but it is well accepted that he will have more important days ahead of him. There wasn’t a huge amount of point going for broke here.Jofra Archer bowls during day three of the tour match between New Zealand A and England•Getty Images

Sam Curran’s performance will have secured his position in the team for the first Test. While his first wicket, that of Glenn Phillips, was more than a little fortunate – the batsmen simply edged one down the leg-side – he later had Jimmy Neesham, driving somewhat lavishly, caught behind by one that left him slightly and bowled Scott Kuggeleijn with a well-directed yorker.Just as pertinently, Curran also had Tom Blundell dropped at leg slip by Root, as he experimented with the short ball and leg side field. Curran knows he can’t simply run in, hit the seam and gain movement as he does in England and while he will probably always lack a bit of pace, he did show a willingness to “find a way,” as Darren Gough put it, to challenge batsmen in such conditions. Whether it’s with his bouncer, his willingness to go around the wicket, or his swing, he is a little less one dimensional as a bowler than is sometimes suggested. It was interesting to note, however, that Chris Woakes appeared to be hitting the gloves extra hard in training. He won’t be going without a fight.Some other concerns may linger, though. In an ideal world, England would have wanted their openers, as well as Root and Stokes, to spend a bit longer at the crease. And in an ideal world, Root would have clung on to both the chances offered to him in New Zealand A’s first innings. The first, at leg slip off Curran, looked tough; the second, at conventional slip off Archer, less so. And yes, there will be just a bit of concern that they were unable to part two tail-enders – neither Somerville or Patel have ever scored a first-class half-century – once they had decided to simply block for the draw.But England will, overall, have been delighted to have reduced New Zealand A to 129 for 8 at one stage. And they will, overall, have been delighted to bat for 117.5 overs in their innings and pass 400. And they will have been encouraged that, after a poor miss in the first innings, Dom Sibley held on to three catches including one sharp chance in the cordon.But most of all, they will have been delighted by the form of Jos Buttler who, after a disappointing Ashes, compiled a mature century and then claimed a couple of impressive catches – not least the one to dismiss Phillips – with the gloves.To put Buttler’s innings in context, this was just the second first-class century he has scored since June 2015 (the most recent was in the Trent Bridge Test of August 2018) and his first overseas. It was also just the sixth first-class century of a career that has brought nine ODI centuries. Afterwards he credited a break from the game and a couple of sessions working with former Somerset teammate Marcus Trescothick as contributory factors.”It was a tough summer,” he said afterwards. “Great fun but a huge challenge which took a lot out of most of us. So it was good to have some time away from the game and get refreshed. I’ve had four or five weeks off and that has been invaluable. It’s allowed us to refresh, have time away and get excited to come back.”I’m absolutely aware of my record as regards scoring first-class centuries. It’s something I’ve been very light on, really. I know this was a warm-up match but it’s nice to spend time in the middle and get to three figures.”I went down to Somerset to work with Marcus Trescothick, who is someone I know really well. I got a lot out of it. It gave some building blocks – more around my set-up, really, trying to be in the right place at the right time when the ball is released – to coming here and feeling in good touch.”A similar surface is expected in Mount Maunganui and England’s bowlers may well still struggle to make inroads. But if their batsmen can occupy the crease for 120 overs or more and their fielders hold their chances, they will give themselves a chance of a first victory here since 2008.

تحدث محمد قريميدة الأمين العام المساعد للاتحاد الليبي لكرة القدم، عن أزمة مباراة نيجيريا في تصفيات كأس أمم إفريقيا.

وكان من المقرر أن يواجه منتخب نيجيريا نظيره الليبي على ملعب الأخير، قبل أن تغادر بعثة النسور دون خوض المباراة.

وقرر الاتحاد الإفريقي لكرة القدم “كاف” إحالة أزمة منتخب نيجيريا إلى لجنة الانضباط للتحقيق واتخاذ القرارات بمن يثبت في حقه خرق اللوائح. 

طالع | رسمياً.. كاف يصدر قراراً بشأن أزمة بعثة نيجيريا قبل مباراة ليبيا في تصفيات كأس أمم إفريقيا

وقال قريميده في تصريحات تلفزيونية بفضائية “إم بي سي مصر 2” عبر برنامج “الكورة مع فايق”: “أنا كممثل عن الاتحاد الليبي، والمسؤول الأمني تواجدنا في المطار، وكانت الحافلة ستنقل منتخب نيجيريا للفندق”.

وأضاف: “فجأة تم إخطارنا أنه تم تحويل مسار الطائرة لمطار آخر على بعد 200 كيلو متر، وهذا الإجراء يحدث عادة وليس مختلقا، وحدث دون سابق إنذار ولم يكن لدينا أي فكرة”.

وتابع: “بعثة نيجريا وصلت الساعة 8 في مطار الأبرق، والإجراءات استغرقت ساعتين فقط، وكان من الصعب وصولنا كممثلين للاتحاد إلى مطار الأبرق لأن المسافة كبيرة 200 كيلو متر، وكل الظروف جاءت بعكس ما كنا نتمناه، لم يحدث شيء عن عمد”.

فيديو | رسميًا.. الجزائر تتأهل إلى نهائيات كأس أمم إفريقيا 2025

وواصل: “سنرسل تقريرا للاتحاد الإفريقي غدًا من أجل توضيح الأمر، وفرنا لبعثة نيجيريا الحافلة بعد 3 أو 4 ساعات في مطار الأبرق، وتم توفير طائرة لتنقلهم في العاشرة صباحًا، لكن الاتحاد النيجيري قرر عودة البعثة”.

وأتم: “القرار في يد الكاف، لكننا كنا جاهزين لاستقبال المنتخب النيجيري، وطاقم الحكام كان حاضرًا، وما حدث كان عن غير عمد، والجانب النيجيري هو من رفض لعب المباراة”.

MatériaMais Notícias

Autor de hits e queridinho da torcida do Palmeiras, o cantor Marlon Góes postou, em seu canal do YouTube, na última terça-feira (27), o clipe de sua principal música sobre o Verdão: “Cala a Boca, Secador”, que é a canção mais escutada do artista no Spotify.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasPalmeirasTécnico do New York City afirma que Taty Castellanos não irá ao Palmeiras: ‘Ficará aqui por anos’Palmeiras29/04/2021PalmeirasPatrick de Paula fala sobre momento no Paulistão, comenta críticas e diz estar ‘realizando sonho no Palmeiras’Palmeiras28/04/2021PalmeirasDiretor do América-MG afirma que negociações com Palmeiras por Ademir estão ‘esgotadas’Palmeiras29/04/2021

>> Chelsea pensa em opções para o ataque, Sancho atrai o interesse de gigante inglês… O Dia do Mercado

O vídeo foi feito em parceria com o clube, gravado em São Paulo e filmado e dirigido pela TV Palmeiras, além de contar com a participação de fãs do músico. Além disso, o cantor revelou ao NOSSO PALESTRA/LANCE! que tem planos para realizar mais vídeos em parceria com o Alviverde, inclusive da música “É gol do Rony”.

Marlon Góes é cantor e ganhou notoriedade ao escrever músicas sobre o Palmeiras, seu time do coração. Sendo assim, o músico tornou-se querido pelo clube e, com isso, foi, inclusive, convidado para participar da festa do título da Libertadores e de outras campanhas.

Confira o clipe de “Cala a Boca Secador”:

continua após a publicidade

يستضيف المنتخب الإنجليزي نظيره اليوناني، اليوم الخميس، ضمن مباريات الجولة الثالثة من المجموعة السادسة ببطولة دوري الأمم الأوروبية على ملعب ويمبلي.

منتخب إنجلترا يحتل المركز الثاني برصيد 6 نقاط بفارق الأهداف لصالح المتصدر اليونان، قبل مباراة اليوم بملعب ويمبلي بالعاصمة الإنجليزية لندن.

طالع أيضًا | قائمة إنجلترا لمباراتي اليونان وفنلندا في دوري الأمم الأوروبية.. استدعاء بعد 7 سنوات

وتضم المجموعة كلًا من المنتخب الأيرلندي وكذلك الفنلندي، رفقة إنجلترا واليونان. موعد مباراة إنجلترا واليونان في دوري الأمم الأوروبية

المباراة تقام في تمام الساعة العاشرة إلا ربع بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية. القناة الناقلة لمباراة إنجلترا واليونان في دوري الأمم الأوروبية

وسيتم نقل المباراة عبر قناة قناة “Bein Sports HD5”. معلق مباراة إنجلترا واليونان في دوري الأمم الأوروبية

وتم إسناد مهمة تعليق المباراة عربيًا، للمصري “علي محمد علي”.

Aston Villa are reportedly closing in on a deal to sign defender Kosta Nedeljkovic from Serbian side Red Star Belgrade and loan him back to the club for the remainder of the season.

He is only 18 and is clearly a signing for the future but this appears to be what Unai Emery is building at the club, a team which could be a consistent force in the Premier League while challenging for trophies.

It is working wonders so far this season, with summer signings Pau Torres and Moussa Diaby contributing alongside current players Ollie Watkins and Leon Bailey to power the Midlands club to the heady heights of third in the table, along with progress in Europe and in the FA Cup.

Could Emery perhaps make more signings during the current January transfer window? Reportedly, he is keen on a reunion with a player he used to manage during his spell as Arsenal manager.

Aston Villa’s search for another signing

Emery is currently looking to sign Emile Smith Rowe from Arsenal this month and the Spaniard knows the Englishman well, having managed the club between 2018 and 2019.

Previous Villa managers have also wanted to sign the talented midfielder too, as Dean Smith reportedly made an offer of £25m in 2021 to bring him to the Midlands, yet this was turned down.

Recent reports state that the north Londoners are now willing to sell Smith Rowe to Villa and could this month finally be the time they secure his services?

talkSPORT reporter Alex Crook spoke to GIVEMESPORT regarding Villa’s interest in the 23-year-old recently, saying:

"I'm keen to see what they [Arsenal] do with Smith Rowe because I think Aston Villa’s interest is still there. We know that Arsenal like Douglas Luiz, but Villa aren’t going to let him go at this moment in time because they’re competing for the top four themselves.”

A move north could reinvigorate his career, which appears to be stagnating under Mikel Arteta, and he could even emerge as another Jack Grealish figure for the club as they aim to end their 28-year trophy drought.

How Emile Smith Rowe compares to Jack Grealish

When Villa made their offer for Smith Rowe in 2021, it was actually so they could replace the current Manchester City sensation, who left Villa that summer for a staggering transfer fee in the region of £100m.

The duo not only sport the same look on the pitch – both preferring the short socks look – but they also regularly drift past opponents with their impressive dribbling style and this is something Emery needs in his current side.

According to WhoScored, the current Arsenal gem excels at finishing and holding onto the ball, while Grealish also counts holding onto the ball as one of his key strengths, yet his development has allowed him to further excel courtesy of through balls and key passes.

Give Smith Rowe time and the chance to perform at a consistent level, however, and he could shortly be alongside Grealish.

Both players possess a clear attacking threat in front of goal. Smith Howe has registered 35 goal contributions in 130 senior matches, while the City gem has played more matches – 364 games – and has scored 51 goals along with grabbing 67 assists in what has been an excellent career thus far.

Emery could give the 23-year-old his confidence back and adding a player of his talent to his squad could be a no-brainer this month. There is no doubt about it.

Emile Smith Rowe’s season in numbers

During his senior career, Smith Rowe has already missed a total of 77 matches due to a succession of injuries and this season, he has been disrupted by a knee issue which has seen him miss nine games.

This has meant the player has played only 12 times during 2023/24, registering one assist, and it is clear he isn’t able to force his way into Arteta’s starting XI often enough.

Indeed, of these 12 games, only two have been starts, and he proved he is more effective being unleashed from the first whistle, as his only assist came during his only Premier League start.

He has succeeded with 100% of his dribble attempts in the top flight during his brief spell on the pitch this term, along with winning an impressive 75% of his aerial duels. But the truth is, he hasn’t been given enough time to showcase his talents this season.

The £40k-per-week starlet needs a fresh move to live up to his vast promise and a reunion with Emery could be the ideal move.

Journalist Mark Mann-Bryans hailed the youngster as a potential “game-changer” two years ago when it looked as though he could follow Bukayo Saka from the Hale End academy into being a standout for the first team.

Unfortunately, it hasn’t quite worked out that way for the Englishman as injuries have begun to take their toll, and he could slip into the wilderness unless he makes a move away from the Emirates.

Villa are relying far too much on Ollie Watkins for goals, as the striker is currently sitting on 14 goals for the current season – five clear of anyone else – but if he gets injured, then they could be in trouble.

Smith Rowe could operate in a few different positions, yet playing just behind the striker appears to be his favoured role and the one where he can make the most difference. Also capable of playing from the left, it's clear to see why we're making such a comparison to the aforementioned Grealish.

If Emery is looking to finally deliver a major trophy to the Villa supporters after a near three-decade wait, adding some depth to his squad this month could be vital.

He still has a couple of weeks to bring in some more players, and if he does manage to sign the Arsenal outcast this month, it could potentially bring out the best in the midfielder who is in need of regular minutes.

Atlanta United coach Gonzalo Pineda has explained how his side were able to contain Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez in a 3-1 victory over Inter Miami.

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Superstar forwards in South FloridaHave troubled plenty of opponentsKept relatively quiet in 3-1 defeatWHAT HAPPENED?

Completely shutting out a couple of superstar forwards is always going to be an almost impossible task, but the obvious threat that they pose can be reined in. Atlanta made a decent job of keeping Messi and Suarez under wraps at Chase Stadium.

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Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi did hit the back of the net, but his 11th goal of the 2024 campaign proved to be little more than a consolation for the Herons – who saw their 10-match unbeaten run in MLS competition brought to a shuddering halt.

WHAT PINEDA SAID

Pineda told reporters afterwards of how he set his side up to frustrate Messi and Suarez, while limiting their impact on proceedings: “I think understanding that Messi and Suarez were going to be on top, I wanted to have always a three vs two against them. The players did amazing in terms of those times. There were different difficult moments in the game where we didn’t read them or they were using balls in the build-up, but then we were always a good base of three players defending so that was also part of the why, because I wanted to be protected in the middle of the field in transition moments.”

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With the rest of MLS being shown that Messi and Suarez can be kept relatively quiet, Inter Miami may have to start tinkering with their tactical approach. They do, however, have enough firepower at their disposal to suggest that any defensive lock can be picked when performing at their full potential.

Former RFEF president Luis Rubiales reportedly tried to send UEFA funds the way of Lionel Messi and Gerard Pique during the COVID pandemic.

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Rubiales spoke with Messi and Pique during pandemicPlayers concerned about finances due to pay cutsDiscussions also involved UEFA president Aleksander CeferinWHAT HAPPENED?

Rubiales held video conferences with UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin and Barcelona stars Messi and Pique over a period of three months to discuss the possibility of diverting funds to players affected financially by the pandemic in 2020, according to . It was proposed that four percent of broadcasting rights for UEFA matches could be used to help players who had been forced to take pay-cuts because of the pandemic. Messi is said to have highlighted the need for confidentiality during the talks as he feared a backlash if the discussions ever came to light.

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The pandemic saw football cancelled across the globe due to lockdown measures and many players take salary reductions. Messi confirmed at the time that Barcelona players would take 70% paycuts in a bid to help the club cut losses due to the pandemic. reports that leaked messages and audio have revealed Rubiales suggested redirecting funds to players whose salaries had been affected to Ceferin. The four men then held a four-hour video call to discuss the issue and subsequently exchanged several messages.

WHAT WAS SAID

As reported by , Rubiales allegedly told Ceferin: "I say it is important for us to have Messi and the rest with us. There is no need to spend money. We just change where the funds go."

Rubiales also suggested Pique and Messi send a signed Barcelona shirt to Ceferin "as a token of gratitude".

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GettyWHAT HAPPENED NEXT

The conversations between Rubiales and the Barcelona stars took place during April and May of 2020, with the Catalan giants finally returning to action in La Liga in June. However, Barcelona ended the financial year by announcing financial losses of €97 million (£88m/$114m) due to COVID, while Messi ended up leaving the club a year later for PSG as they could not afford to hand the superstar a new contract.