United News of Bangladesh

Morgan Guilavogui scored two goals and Sergi Solans added another as Real Salt Lake earned a 3-1 victory over Sporting Kansas City on Saturday night. RSL goalkeeper Rafael Cabral recorded one save for his side (10-14-6). Guilavogui opened the scoring in the 11th minute, slipping a shot from near the right end line past goalkeeper Stefan Cleveland and inside the back post. Solans extended the lead to 2-0 in the 14th minute, slamming home a first-touch shot off a deflection. Taylor Calheira pulled one back for Sporting (6-20-4) in the 26th minute. However, Guilavogui capped the scoring in the 61st minute by slamming home a first-touch shot off a feed from Noel Caliskan. The 28-year-old forward, currently in his first MLS season, logged his first career multi-goal game. Cleveland finished the match with five saves for Sporting KC. Now winless in four straight matches, Kansas City's 22 points this season are the fewest in MLS. Sporting also holds the league's worst goal differential at minus-39. Heading into Saturday, Montreal (minus-24) was the only other team with a goal differential worse than minus-17 (Austin). The defeat leaves Sporting KC as the only team in the Western Conference officially eliminated from contention for the 2026 MLS Cup playoffs.

Real Madrid has again called for La Liga president Javier Tebas to resign after he compared the club's efforts to discredit referees with propaganda tactics used by Nazi Germany. Tebas criticised Madrid in a lengthy social media post on Friday over its club television channel's repeated claims that referees have harmed its chances of winning matches. The channel regularly publishes video clips highlighting what it considers serious errors by match officials assigned to upcoming games involving the 15-time European champions. Tebas likened the club's approach to the methods used by Joseph Goebbels, the propaganda minister of Nazi Germany during World War II. “Real Madrid's executive has an orchestra of mouthpieces and Real Madrid leads the way,” Tebas wrote. He accused the club of repeatedly selecting incidents that favour its position, highlighting alleged injustices, fuelling suspicion and identifying opponents. Tebas clarified that his comparison concerned propaganda techniques rather than Nazi ideology or Real Madrid supporters. In response, Madrid issued a statement saying Tebas, who has repeatedly clashed with club president Florentino Pérez over the years, was unfit to lead the organisation representing Spain's top football clubs. The club demanded his “immediate resignation”, arguing that his repeated actions demonstrated a lack of neutrality, respect and impartiality incompatible with his institutional responsibilities. It also described his continued criticism of Madrid and those seeking greater transparency and reform as a serious problem for Spanish football. Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has also complained that refereeing decisions regularly work against the club, which holds a record 36 Spanish league titles. In September, Madrid called for Tebas to step down after he criticised the club for targeting the refereeing team following its 2-1 defeat to Atletico Madrid. In Friday's statement, Madrid reiterated its criticism of Tebas over what it considers his inadequate response to an ongoing judicial investigation into alleged payments made by Barcelona to an official associated with the refereeing committee of the Spanish Football Federation over several years.

Chelsea captain Reece James has undergone minor knee surgery following an injury sustained during a training session, the Premier League club said on Friday. The club described the operation as minor but did not disclose the exact nature of the injury. The England international has suffered a series of injuries affecting his knee and hamstring throughout his career. A hamstring problem also forced the 26-year-old defender to miss part of the 2026 World Cup. Chelsea did not provide a timeline for James' return to competitive action. “Reece has already begun his road to recovery and will be supported by the club's medical department at Cobham during this rehabilitation phase,” the club said in a statement. “Everyone at Chelsea wishes Reece a speedy recovery and will support him on his road to return,” it added. Chelsea, currently sixth in the Premier League standings, will travel to face Everton on Saturday.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino apologised to the organisation's ruling council on Thursday for mistakes in handling a secretive investment proposal linked to the World Cup but failed to satisfy critics seeking explanations and considering efforts to remove him from office. Football officials attended the meeting in Zurich hoping to get answers about two major controversies involving Infantino this year: a proposed $4.2 billion sale of World Cup commercial rights that was abandoned and the red-card case involving US forward Folarin Balogun during the World Cup, in which US President Donald Trump intervened. However, European delegates said they left the three-and-a-half-hour meeting disappointed, citing a lack of clear answers on both issues. “No satisfactory answers were provided,” German football federation chief Bernd Neuendorf told reporters. He is one of eight European representatives on the 37-member FIFA Council, which is chaired by Infantino. Infantino presented no documents on the proposed $4.2 billion investment deal, which he abandoned in July following strong opposition, particularly from Europe. He also did not explain the Balogun red-card case or Trump's intervention, European delegates said. FIFA will review whether to continue awarding its peace prize, which was introduced and presented to Trump last December. Infantino further frustrated European officials by asking them to submit their questions in writing during their only meeting before the Nov 18 deadline for nominating a challenger in the FIFA presidential election scheduled for March. “The man has to answer those questions. If he doesn't answer those questions, no, he is not fit to be the FIFA president,” said Debbie Hewitt, head of the English Football Association and a FIFA vice president. She said Infantino appeared to offer his apology with some remorse. FIFA says investment details remain confidential European officials pressed Infantino to provide written evidence about the proposed private equity investment involving Joshua Kushner, the brother of Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner. The plan, known as FIFA Forward Enterprise, was intended to establish a commercial rights subsidiary for the World Cup, with investors led by Kushner holding at least a 20% stake. The proposal sparked a major dispute within world football and became the biggest crisis of Infantino's nearly 11-year presidency. Infantino did not speak to reporters after the meeting but released a video statement apologising for mistakes in communication and consultation over the project, which he said had led to several consequences. He stressed that the investment plan had only been a proposal and was never a finalised deal. FIFA said in a separate statement that details of the project remained confidential because of ongoing legal proceedings in the United States. The FIFA Council is the organisation's main decision-making body. Its members are elected by their respective continental football confederations for four-year terms, with most serving as heads of their national football associations. FIFA pays council members an annual allowance of $250,000, while continental confederation presidents receive $300,000. UEFA pursues legal action against FIFA leadership European football's governing body, UEFA, is leading efforts to remove Infantino before or during the March presidential election. Infantino angered football officials in Europe, North America and Asia by developing the Kushner investment proposal in secret for months. The move reinforced concerns within UEFA that he pursues major initiatives without consulting other football leaders. “We need a person of integrity, someone who can be expected to restore the reputation of the association, which has undoubtedly been lost,” Neuendorf said. UEFA has also asked US courts for permission to obtain evidence for a criminal complaint against Infantino in Switzerland. The filings raise allegations of possible financial mismanagement over the valuation of the proposed subsidiary responsible for World Cup commercial rights. FIFA's lawyers have sought to block or delay the evidence requests, describing UEFA's actions as a “smear campaign”. African officials back Infantino Support from African football federations could prove important in the presidential election. Africa has 54 of FIFA's 211 member associations, and its voters have played a significant role in leadership contests over the past five decades. Ahmed Yahya, a FIFA Council member and head of Mauritania's football federation, said Infantino remained the right person to lead the organisation. Infantino's proposal to provide an additional $15 million in funding to each of FIFA's 211 member associations over the next four years made progress on Thursday. Each association was already set to receive $10 million from FIFA through 2030. Yahya said Infantino was helping develop football worldwide, adding that his experience on the African continent informed his support. The FIFA presidential election will take place on March 18 in Rabat, Morocco. The country's football chief, Fouzi Lekjaa, is an influential council member and an ally of Infantino. Morocco will co-host the 2030 men's World Cup with Spain and Portugal. It is also competing with Spain to host the tournament's final, a decision that could influence political alliances ahead of the FIFA election. Next FIFA Council meeting scheduled in Qatar The FIFA Council is expected to meet next on Dec 16 in Doha, Qatar, which hosted the 2022 World Cup and remains supportive of Infantino. Azerbaijan is another ally. Its senior football official, Elkhan Mammadov, is part of Infantino's inner circle, and the country will host a global under-15 boys' tournament later this month, providing a potential opportunity for election campaigning. FIFA will also hold an extraordinary congress on Nov 23, five days after the presidential candidate nomination deadline, to confirm the hosts of the 2031 and 2035 Women's World Cups. The only bids are a joint proposal from the United States, Mexico, Costa Rica and Jamaica for the 2031 tournament, and a bid from the four United Kingdom football associations for the 2035 edition.

Lionel Messi provided an assist as reigning champions Inter Miami secured a place in the Major League Soccer (MLS) playoffs with a 2-0 victory over New York City FC on Wednesday night. Rodrigo De Paul scored from Messi's assist, while Germán Berterame also found the net to seal the win for Miami. Luis Suárez provided an assist as well, helping Miami record back-to-back victories for the first time since July. Miami missed the playoffs when Messi joined the club in 2023. However, the team has qualified for the postseason in each of the past three seasons, losing to Atlanta United in the first round in 2024 before defeating Vancouver last year to claim the club's first MLS Cup title. Wednesday's victory followed Miami's 4-0 win over DC United last Saturday, when Messi and Suárez scored twice each. It was also the second league victory for new coach Cristian "Kily" González, who took charge on September 16. Berterame opened the scoring in the 20th minute with his eighth goal of the season. De Paul doubled Miami's lead just before half-time. Goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair saved a penalty from Nicolás Fernández in the final minute to secure his second consecutive clean sheet. It has been a remarkable year for Messi, who led Argentina to its second consecutive World Cup final before announcing his retirement from international football a month later. He now has an opportunity to add another trophy to his collection.

Fulham manager Alvaro Arbeloa has been fined £25,000 ($33,200) and warned over comments he made after a Premier League draw with Manchester United that questioned the referee’s impartiality. Arbeloa accepted a charge of “acting in an improper manner” over his remarks following the 1-1 draw between the teams at Fulham’s Craven Cottage on Sept 20. “I think all fouls for them,” the Spanish coach said after the match, referring to Manchester United, who had lost to Manchester City the previous weekend following a controversial goal. “Every decision was for them,” Arbeloa added. “And I knew, I knew after the game against Man City that they don't let Manchester United lose here.” In its written explanation published on Wednesday, an independent commission said it believed Arbeloa’s remarks suggested that match officials had repeatedly favoured Manchester United during the game. The commission also said his comments implied that the officials or others might have deliberately tried to compensate for a mistake made in a different match. Arbeloa is in his first season as Fulham manager after leaving Real Madrid.  

FIFA will propose a $6.35 billion fund for football development between 2027 and 2030, including an increased allocation of $25 million for each national association, according to a document reviewed by The Associated Press on Tuesday. The world football governing body said the proposal aims to use the financial success of the latest World Cup to boost investment in football development across its 211 member associations, confederations and other stakeholders. Under the previous plan, each national association was set to receive $10 million over the four-year period. The document, dated Oct 14, said FIFA had proposed distributing more than $3.5 billion from its financial reserves, citing the unprecedented commercial success of its 48-team World Cup. The proposal comes as European football leaders seek a candidate to challenge FIFA President Gianni Infantino, whose controversial plan for private investment in the World Cup was scrapped within days of its announcement in July, prompting action from UEFA. Infantino, who took over as FIFA president in 2016, is seeking re-election next year. The document said the financial plan would be finalised by the FIFA Council in December 2026, subject to final approval at the 77th FIFA Congress in March 2027. FIFA also proposed allocating $99 million to each of the six continental confederations. "If accepted, the proposal will more than double the level of planned distribution funding for the 2027-2030 period, with a specific focus on investment and development of women's and youth football," FIFA said. In August, UEFA announced that it was preparing a criminal complaint against Infantino in Switzerland over possible financial mismanagement in the World Cup sell-off deal. It has also asked courts in the United States to authorise the discovery of evidence. UEFA's 55 member associations account for more than a quarter of FIFA's 211 member federations eligible to vote in the presidential election scheduled for March 18 in Rabat, Morocco.

The Portuguese Football Federation has suspended Cristiano Ronaldo and initiated disciplinary proceedings against the veteran forward for walking out on the national team. In a statement on Saturday, the federation said the case had been referred to its disciplinary investigation committee. The findings will remain confidential until the investigation is completed. The 41-year-old Ronaldo left Portugal’s team camp during the international break following a dispute with new coach Jorge Jesus over a lack of playing time. Portugal won all three matches in which Ronaldo was either an unused substitute or absent, while his replacement, Gonçalo Ramos, made the most of his opportunity by scoring three goals. At the end of the international break, Ronaldo addressed his 679 million Instagram followers in a lengthy post, calling on Jesus to acknowledge a mistake over an incident involving the forward’s warm-up before Portugal’s match against Norway. Ronaldo said the coach had asked him to warm up on the sidelines but then did not send him onto the field. Jesus did not acknowledge any mistake. Ronaldo said he expected to face suspension under federation rules but reassured his supporters that “we will have one or more farewell matches.”

Senegal and Morocco will renew their dispute over the Africa Cup of Nations title on Thursday, nearly nine months after a chaotic final, as the case reaches the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Switzerland. The January final in Rabat was followed by clashes between Senegal fans and Moroccan police and a controversial decision that changed the outcome of the match. Senegal initially won 1-0 after extra time, but the Confederation of African Football (CAF) overturned the result in March and awarded Morocco a 3-0 victory. CAF's appeals panel ruled against Senegal after its players briefly left the field to protest a penalty awarded to Morocco, causing a 15-minute delay. The authority of referee Jean-Jacques Ndala of Congo is expected to be central to Senegal's appeal. CAS hearingA one-day hearing involving three judges was scheduled behind closed doors Thursday at the CAS headquarters in Lausanne. The court has not set a date for its verdict, which will determine the champion of African men's football before the next AFCON begins in June in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. The presidents of the Senegalese and Moroccan football federations were expected to miss the hearing because it coincides with a three-day CAF summit in Cape Verde attended by FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Referee's decisionFootball's Laws of the Game give the referee final authority over decisions related to play, including whether a goal is scored and the result of a match. Ndala allowed the final to continue after Senegal's players returned to the field following their protest over a penalty awarded deep in stoppage time. Senegal forward Sadio Mané helped persuade his teammates to finish the match as tensions escalated inside the stadium. Morocco's Brahim Díaz then took the penalty but failed to score with a slow, chipped effort known as a “Panenka.” Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy stayed upright and caught the ball. Four minutes into extra time, Senegal midfielder Pape Gueye scored the only goal of the match with a rising shot, securing Senegal's 1-0 victory. CAF sanctionsEleven days after the final, CAF disciplinary judges imposed more than $1 million in combined fines on the two federations, players and Senegal coach Pape Thiaw. The judges rejected Morocco's request to annul the result and declare it the winner because of Senegal's walk-off. However, CAF appeal judges later ruled that Senegal had forfeited the match, citing tournament rules stating that a team that leaves the field before the match ends without the referee's permission is considered the loser and eliminated from the competition. Government involvementSenegal's government pledged to pursue all appropriate legal avenues to recover the title and called for an investigation into suspected corruption in African football. The dispute also fueled claims that Morocco, which will co-host the 2030 World Cup, has significant influence within CAF and FIFA. In May, Moroccan King Mohammed VI pardoned 18 Senegalese football fans who had been jailed over disorder at the Rabat stadium.

Argentina's coach, Lionel Scaloni, said that no one could take the place of Lionel Messi, speaking through tears after a 3-0 victory over Benin that marked Messi's departure from the national team. For Scaloni, who won four major titles with Messi as his captain, the partnership was more than he had hoped for. "It was truly like a dream come true," he said. "I never thought I could be the coach of the best player in history.” His voice grew heavy as he went on. "We will be grateful to him forever for giving us the chance to be with him," he said. "My eyes are watering, because there is so much going through my head right now," he said. "It will hurt not to see him anymore." Under Scaloni, with Messi leading the team, Argentina won the 2021 Copa America, the 2022 World Cup, the 2022 Finalissima and the 2024 Copa America. Messi scored once and set up two goals against Benin in his farewell match. Asked about Argentina's future without Messi, Scaloni said there was no easy way to fill the void. Where, then, would the team find another Messi? "Nowhere," he said. "We are working with young players now," he said. "This process will go on. But the feeling of having Messi next to you, nothing compares to it." Scaloni tried to explain what made Messi different. "I have never seen such an aura in anyone else in my life," he said. Then he seemed to remind himself of what had changed. "The player who could make a win possible in an impossible match with his extraordinary talent is no longer with you," he said.