Chelsea, Lyon and Roma stay perfect with victories in Women’s Champions League

Chelsea, Lyon and Roma stay perfect with victories in Women’s Champions League
Lyon's French defender Wendie Renard (L) heads the ball to score the opening goal during the UEFA Women's Champions League Group A preliminary round football match between VfL Wolfsburg and Olympique Lyonnais in Wolfsburg, northern Germany on Oct. 17, 2024. (AFP)
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Updated 18 October 2024
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Chelsea, Lyon and Roma stay perfect with victories in Women’s Champions League

Chelsea, Lyon and Roma stay perfect with victories in Women’s Champions League
  • Lyon defender Wendie Renard stole the show as her header found the back of the net early on in her 118th game in the competition
  • Chelsea struck early in another winning performance under new coach Sonia Bompastor, who joined from Lyon

LONDON: Chelsea, Lyon and Roma all stayed perfect in the Women’s Champions League by cruising to away victories on Thursday.

Roma routed Galatasaray at Istanbul 6-1, Chelsea beat Twente in the Netherlands 3-1 and eight-time champion Lyon won 2-0 at Wolfsburg.

Real Madrid claimed their first victory of the campaign by easing past Celtic 4-0.

Roma and Lyon both have six points in Group A. Two-time champions Wolfsburg and Galatasaray, the first Turkish team to reach the group stage, have no points.

In Group B, Chelsea lead with six points, with Madrid and Twente on three and Celtic last bottom without a point.

Renard strikes on Popp’s day

Wolfsburg striker Alexandra Popp made her 100th competition appearance — becoming only the second player to reach the mark but it was Lyon defender Wendie Renard, the only one who has played more, who stole the show.

Renard’s header found the back of the net early on in her 118th game in the competition.

US international Lindsey Horan netted from the penalty spot in the second half.

Lyon are the competition’s record eight-time champion but last won the trophy in 2022. It was runner-up last season to Barcelona.

Roma rout

In a matchup between the Italian and Turkish champions, Roma dominated in Istanbul.

Summer signing Hawa Cissoko scored in the seventh minute to mark her debut game in the competition. The France defender who transferred from West Ham headed home off Manuela Giugliano’s corner.

Valentina Giacinti made it 2-0 in the 24th minute when she was left unmarked near the spot to head in Verena Hanshaw’s cross.

Giugliano failed to convert from the spot in the first-half stoppage time but Emilie Haavi got Roma’s third with a right-footed blast past goalkeeper Gamze Yaman early in the second.

Giugliano finally found the back of the net from close range for a 4-0 lead before Andrea Staskova scored the consolation goal for the hosts. Roma substitutes Marta Pandini and Alice Corelli also scored.

Blues win again under Bompastor

Chelsea struck early in another winning performance under new coach Sonia Bompastor, who joined from Lyon.

Agnes Beever-Jones put the Blues ahead with a long-distance deflected strike in the seventh minute and Maika Hamano made it 2-0 a short time later by lifting the ball over goalkeeper Olivia Clark from outside the area.

Substitute Guro Reiten added the third in the second from the spot just past the hour mark.

On Saturday, Chelsea beat city rival Arsenal 2-1 in the Women’s Super League.

Real Madrid bounce back

Real Madrid scored three second-half goals in 11 minutes against Celtic in Group B.

The Spanish team had lost to Chelsea 3-2 in the first round and drew with Atlético 1-1 in the Madrid derby over the weekend.

Caroline Weir fired a long-range left-footer from outside the box into the far top corner in the seventh minute.

The visitors kept if close until the 72nd minute, when Signe Bruun headed home the second goal followed eight minutes later by Caroline Moller’s lob of goalkeeper Kelsey Daugherty for a 3-0 lead. Linda Caicedo then converted from the penalty spot.

It’s back-to-back losses for Scottish club Celtic, making their debut in the group stage. They have yet to score.

 


FIFA faces Dutch class action over player transfer regulations

FIFA faces Dutch class action over player transfer regulations
Updated 04 August 2025
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FIFA faces Dutch class action over player transfer regulations

FIFA faces Dutch class action over player transfer regulations
  • The foundation added that consultancy firm Compass Lexecon had estimated that damages could run into billions of euros
  • The Dutch football players’ group is seeking compensation over alleged loss of income due to restrictive transfer rules

Aug 4 : A Dutch football players’ group is preparing a “potentially billion-dollar” class action claim against FIFA and other football associations, seeking compensation over alleged loss of income due to restrictive transfer rules, it said on Monday.

The Dutch Foundation for Justice said world football governing body FIFA’s rules had affected approximately 100,000 players in European member states and the United Kingdom since 2002.

The foundation added that consultancy firm Compass Lexecon had estimated that damages could run into billions of euros, with the foundation’s board member Dolf Segaar telling Dutch news agency NOS that “it is a billion-dollar claim.”

The Dutch Football Association (KNVB) is among the associations to be named in the suit.

“This case is being brought in the Netherlands under the Dutch Act on the Settlement of Mass Damages in Collective Action (WAMCA), which allows this legal action to be launched by JfP on behalf of a large group of professional footballers,” it added.

FIFA and the KNVB did not immediately respond to emailed requests for comment.

The foundation added that a preliminary analysis from global economic consulting company Compass Lexecon estimated that professional footballers collectively earned around 8 percent less over their careers than they would have due to FIFA’s regulations.

“All professional football players have lost a significant amount of earnings due to the unlawful FIFA Regulations,” foundation chair Lucia Melcherts said in a statement.

“’Justice for Players’ is bringing this claim to help achieve justice for footballers and fairness.”

The foundation added that the case was launched following a ruling on French player Lassana Diarra, who was fined 10 million euros ($11.56 million) by FIFA for leaving Lokomotiv Moscow one year into a four-year deal.

In October 2024, the Court of Justice of the European Union said some of FIFA’s rules on player transfers went against European Union laws and free movement principles in the case linked to former Chelsea, Arsenal and Real Madrid player Diarra.

Following the ruling by the EU’s top court, FIFA in December adopted an interim framework concerning the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players.

The interim regulatory framework affects the calculation of compensation payable if there is a breach of contract and the burden of proof in relation to both compensation payable and an inducement to breach a contract.

Justice for Players said it will be advised by law firm Dupont-Hissel, founded by Jean-Louis Dupont.

Dupont is the same lawyer who took the landmark case of Belgian Jean-Marc Bosman, which in 1995 cleared the way for players in the European Union to move to other clubs at the end of contracts without a transfer fee being paid.

Dupont-Hissel also represented Diarra in his case against FIFA, with Dupont saying in 2024 that a judgment backing the player would be a milestone in modernizing football governance.

He added that it would allow players’ unions and club associations to regulate their employment practices.


Lionel Messi’s Leagues Cup injury confirmed as ‘hamstring discomfort’

Lionel Messi’s Leagues Cup injury confirmed as ‘hamstring discomfort’
Updated 03 August 2025
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Lionel Messi’s Leagues Cup injury confirmed as ‘hamstring discomfort’

Lionel Messi’s Leagues Cup injury confirmed as ‘hamstring discomfort’
  • The 38-year-old Messi’s exit brings a halt to an exceptional run of clean health
  • Messi, an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, has not scored in the Leagues Cup

Lionel Messi exited Saturday night’s Leagues Cup match against visiting Necaxa in the 11th minute due to a right leg injury. After Inter Miami completed its 2-2 draw, manager Javier Mascherano declared Messi felt “hamstring discomfort.”

The 38-year-old Messi’s exit brings a halt to an exceptional run of clean health, the longest since he joined Miami in July 2023.

He had played in every minute of 16 consecutive matches for Miami between MLS regular season and FIFA Club World Cup play before his failure to appear in the 2025 MLS All-Star Game resulted in a one-match suspension against FC Cincinnati a week ago.

He returned Wednesday night for Miami’s Leagues Cup opener against Atlas and provided two assists – one leading to the game-winner late – in a 2-1 victory.

Neither team scored prior to Messi’s exit Saturday, though Miami’s Telasco Segovia scored shortly thereafter to put Miami in front. Necaxa took a 2-1 lead with the Herons reduced to 10 men when Marcelo Weigandt was sent off for denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity, but Inter Miami rallied for the equalizer in extra time. The Herons then won 5-4 on penalty kicks.

Messi, an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, has not scored in the Leagues Cup. But in MLS play, he is tied for the league lead with 18 goals.

Messi’s run of consecutive appearances was in stark contrast to his first two MLS seasons, during which he missed significant portions of regular-season play.

After playing all seven matches of Miami’s run to the 2023 Leagues Cup title, minor ailments limited Messi to just six appearances among Miami’s last 12 regular-season games that year.

He also dealt with multiple issues in 2024, the most pronounced being an extended recovery from a torn leg muscle sustained while playing for Argentina during the 2024 Copa America final that July.

He played in only 19 games in his first full MLS season, but he still scored 20 goals and had 16 assists to earn the league’s 2024 MVP award.


Newcastle sign England goalkeeper Ramsdale on season-long loan from Southampton

Newcastle sign England goalkeeper Ramsdale on season-long loan from Southampton
Updated 02 August 2025
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Newcastle sign England goalkeeper Ramsdale on season-long loan from Southampton

Newcastle sign England goalkeeper Ramsdale on season-long loan from Southampton
  • Howe called 27-year-old Ramsdale “an exceptional goalkeeper”
  • The England international was previously No. 1 at Arsenal

NEWCASTLE: Newcastle signed goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale on a season-long loan deal from relegated Southampton on Saturday.

Newcastle announced the signing on their website with the Premier League club’s coach Eddie Howe calling the 27-year-old Ramsdale “an exceptional goalkeeper who adds further quality and international experience to our squad.”


The England international was previously No. 1 at Arsenal but then lost his place and joined Southampton on a four-year contract. He could not prevent the club going down last season, when he made 30 appearances in the top division.

Ramsdale, who has five caps for England, is looking forward to hearing the support of the home fans as one of their players, rather than as a visiting goalie.

“It’s great to be here. I’ve always loved coming here and I’ve seen how passionate and loud the fans can be,” he said. “I’ve always loved playing at St. James’ Park. I’ve not always had the greatest of results, but when the fans get behind you, it’s some place.”

Newcastle begin their Premier League campaign away to Aston Villa on Aug. 16.


Bayern Munich midfielder Pavlovic fractures eye socket ahead of the new season

Bayern Munich midfielder Pavlovic fractures eye socket ahead of the new season
Updated 02 August 2025
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Bayern Munich midfielder Pavlovic fractures eye socket ahead of the new season

Bayern Munich midfielder Pavlovic fractures eye socket ahead of the new season
  • The German champion said Saturday that Pavlovic has undergone surgery after fracturing his eye socket
  • Bayern didn’t say exactly how the injury happened

The German champion said Saturday that Pavlovic has undergone surgery after fracturing his eye socket

Bayern didn’t say exactly how the injury happened

MUNICH: Bayern Munich midfielder Aleksandar Pavlovic’s bad luck with injuries and illness seems to have struck again.

The German champion said Saturday that Pavlovic has undergone surgery after fracturing his eye socket in a team training session Friday.

Bayern didn’t say exactly how the injury happened or how long Pavlovic would be out, just that he “is facing a spell on the sidelines.”

The 21-year-old Pavlovic is considered one of world soccer’s best young defensive midfielders but has already racked up a list of absences for sometimes-unusual injuries and illness.

Pavlovic struggled with tonsillitis in his breakthrough 2023-24 season and was ruled out of Germany’s team for Euro 2024 with illness. Last season, he had spells out with a collarbone fracture and glandular fever.

Bayern’s season starts Aug. 16 against Stuttgart in the German Super Cup.


Marseille sign Brazilian winger Paixão from Feyenoord to boost attacking options

Marseille sign Brazilian winger Paixão from Feyenoord to boost attacking options
Updated 02 August 2025
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Marseille sign Brazilian winger Paixão from Feyenoord to boost attacking options

Marseille sign Brazilian winger Paixão from Feyenoord to boost attacking options
  • The 25-year-old Paixão scored 18 goals in 47 games last season
  • Marseille announced the deal late Friday without giving further details

MARSEILLE: Ligue 1 club Marseille have bolstered their attack by signing Brazilian winger Igor Paixão from Feyenoord in a deal that could rise to 35 million euros ($40.6 million).

The 25-year-old Paixão scored 18 goals in 47 games last season and was voted the Dutch player of the season. Marseille beat competition from newly promoted Premier League team Leeds to sign him.

Marseille announced the deal late Friday without giving further details, but French media reports valued the deal at 30 million euros with an additional 5 million in performance-related bonuses.

Marseille paid a club-record 32 million euros to Portuguese club Braga to sign forward Vitinha in early 2023. Vitinha failed to settle and scored only six goals in 43 games before being sold to Genoa.

Paixão showed his full repertoire of skills during a Champions League game against AC Milan in February, scoring in a 1-0 win and giving the Milan defense a torrid time all game with his quickness.

Marseille finished second in Ligue 1 last season behind Paris Saint-Germain and qualified directly for the Champions League.

Marseille coach Roberto De Zerbi has made several moves in the transfer market this summer, including bringing back veteran striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Al-Qadsiah in the Saudi Pro League.

The 36-year-old Aubameyang scored 21 goals for Al-Qadsiah last season, after having spent the 2023-24 campaign at Marseille — where he netted 30 goals overall and became a fan favorite in the southern port city.

Attacking midfielder Angel Gomes joined from Lille and gritty central defender Facundo Medina arrived from Lens.

The arrivals of Aubameyang and Paixão bring extra firepower to an attack that already features Mason Greenwood — who scored 21 league goals last season and Amine Gouiri.

Marseille open the new Ligue 1 season when they travel all the way up the country to face Brittany-based Rennes on Aug. 15.