Football
SAFF U-20 Women's Championship: Bangladesh need a draw against Bhutan to make final
Hosts Bangladesh need just a draw against Bhutan in their last league match on Tuesday to make the final of the four-nation SAFF U-20 Women's Championship 2023.
The match will kick off at 7pm at the Birshrestha Shaheed Sipahi Mostafa Kamal Stadium in the capital's Kamalapur.
League leader India will play Nepal in Tuesday's other match at 3pm at the same venue.
Both India and Nepal have the chance to reach the final by winning their last league match.
Bangladesh will reach the final before playing their last match against Bhutan if India beat Nepal Tuesday afternoon.
Read: SAFF U-20 Women's Champs: Bangladesh play out goalless draw with India
Nepal have kept their hope of playing the final alive, beating Bhutan 4-0 in their second match riding on a hat-trick of Amisha Karki, after a 3-1 loss against Bangladesh. They need to beat India in their last league match to make the final.
The final match between the two top teams of the league basis championship will be held on February 9 at 6pm at the same venue.
On Sunday, Bangladesh played a goalless draw with their giant neighbour India in their second league match.
India topped the league table after securing four points from two matches with a superior goal difference. They beat Bhutan 12-0 in the tournament opener.
Bangladesh are on the right track to reach the final, securing four points from two matches after beating Nepal 3-1 in their first match.
Man City accused of misleading Premier League over finances
Manchester City were accused by the Premier League Monday of providing misleading information about its finances over a nine-year period when the club were attempting to establish themselves as a force in English and European football following their takeover by Abu Dhabi's ruling family.
The explosive development came at the end of a four-year investigation by the world's most popular football league in the wake of leaked club emails and documents from City officials that were published by German magazine Der Spiegel in November 2018.
The Premier League released a long statement detailing a list of about 80 alleged breaches of its financial rules by City from 2009-18, the first nine full seasons under Abu Dhabi ownership. In that time, the team won three Premier League titles – in 2012, 2014 and 2018 – in what has become the most successful period in City's 143-year history.
The league also accused City of 30 more breaches relating to their alleged failure to cooperate with the investigation since December 2018.
The league said it has referred the breaches to an independent commission ahead of a confidential hearing.
In a statement, City said they were "surprised" by the allegations, "particularly given the extensive engagement and vast amount of detailed materials that the EPL (English Premier League) has been provided with.
"The club welcome the review of this matter by an independent commission to impartially consider the comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence that exists in support of their position," City said. "As such, we look forward to this matter being put to rest once and for all."
The Premier League has accused City of breaching rules requiring provision "in utmost good faith" of "accurate financial information that gives a true and fair view of the club's financial position" between 2009-18 and failing to give "full details of manager remuneration in their relevant contracts" from 2009-13. Roberto Mancini was the manager during that period.
The third and fourth offences are a failure to comply with UEFA regulations from 2013-18 and the Premier League's profitability and sustainability rules from 2015-18.
For the fifth offence, City are accused of breaching rules requiring clubs to "cooperate with and assist the Premier League with its investigations" from December 2018 to the present day.
City, the defending Premier League champions and a team owning some of the world's top players like Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne, could be at risk of severe punishment. The league's rule book gives a disciplinary commission powers to impose a range of sanctions plus the wider scope of "such other penalty as it shall think fit."
A large fine seems inevitable if the charges are proven. Also in play is a point deduction, a title nullified or even being expelled from the league, according to league rules.
City never disputed that the documents leaked by Der Spiegel were authentic, but argued the evidence was stolen and reported out of context.
While City were under investigation by the Premier League, the club had a two-year ban from European club competitions overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport in 2020 after UEFA ruled City committed "serious breaches" of financial fair play regulations from 2012-16. That case arose on the back of the leaked information, too.
City were not fully cleared of wrongdoing, though the court said some of the allegations were not proven or could not be judged because of a statute of limitations in UEFA rules. There are no such time limits on the finances under investigation by the Premier League.
CAS also fined City 10 million euros (then $11.3 million) for failing to cooperate with investigators. The club's "blatant disregard" should be "strongly condemned," the court's judges said.
City have been transformed into an English football power since being bought in September 2008 by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, a deputy prime minister of the United Arab Emirates and a member of Abu Dhabi's royal family.
Under their Abu Dhabi ownership, City – who previously lived in the shadow of neighbour Manchester United – have won six Premier League titles, two FA Cups and six English League Cups.
The team are in second place in the Premier League midway through this season, five points behind Arsenal having played one match more.
SAFF U-20 Women's Champs: Bangladesh play out goalless draw with India
Hosts Bangladesh played to a goalless draw with their giant neighbor India in a vital match of the four-nation SAFF U-20 Women's Championship '2023 at the Bir Shrestha Shaheed Shipahi Mostafa Kamal Stadium in Kamalapur here Sunday evening.
With the day's draw in their 2nd league encounters, both the teams not only maintained their unbeaten run in the meet, but also made the passage easier to reach the final of the regional youth women's meet with one match to spare.
After the day's match, India top the list to assure a final berth securing four points from two matches with better goal differences and will play Nepal in the last league match on February 7 at 3pm.
Hosts Bangladesh are also in the right track to reach the final securing four points from two matches and will play all-losers Bhutan in the last league match also on February 7 at 7pm.
Earlier in their first league matches, India crushed Bhutan by 12-0 goals while Bangladesh defeated Nepal by 3-1 goals last Friday at the same venue.
Read: BPL Football: Dhaka Abahani beat Sheikh Jamal 2-1 to continue unbeaten run
The two top teams of the four-nation fray will play in the final on February 9 at 6 pm at the same venue
In Sunday's first match, Himalayan nation Nepal tasted the first victory in their 2nd match to keep their final hope alive beating Bhutan by 4-0 goals Sunday afternoon at the same venue..
Amisha Karki made a hattrick scoring three goals in the 19th, 45+2 and 63rd minutes while Preeti Rai netted the other goal for Nepal in the 61st minute .
Four South Asian countries-- India, Nepal. Bhutan and hosts Bangladesh--are taking part in the regional women's youth soccer meet scheduled for February 3-9.
BPL Football: Dhaka Abahani beat Sheikh Jamal 2-1 to continue unbeaten run
Former champions Dhaka Abahani continued their unbeaten run in the eleven-team Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Football after beating Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club 2-1 at the Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni Stadium in Gopalganj on Saturday.
With today's win, the Dhanmondi club remained in the second spot in the league table, securing 18 points from eight matches. Defending champions Bashundhara Kings topped the table with 24 points from eight straight matches.
With their first defeat in the league, former champions Sheikh Jamal slipped to the fourth spot with 12 points from seven matches
In today's match, Nigerian forward Peter Nworah put Abahani ahead in the 10th minute (1-0). Costa Rica forward Daniel Colindres doubled the lead in the 34th minute (2-0).
St Vincent and the Grenadines forward Stewart pulled one back for Sheikh Jamal in the 70th minute from a penalty (2-1).
In the day's other league match, Sheikh Russell beat Azampur Football Club Uttara 1-0 at the Bashundhara Sports Complex in the afternoon.
After a goalless first half, Didier scored the winner for Sheikh Russell in the 55th minute from a penalty.
Raihan of Azampur FC received a direct red card.
In the day's other match, Bangladesh Police advanced to the third spot in the league table after beating Rahmatganj MFS 2-0 at the Birshreshtha Shaheed Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium in Munshiganj in the afternoon.
Kyrgyz defender Malikov scored first for Police FC in the 22nd minute from a penalty (1-0) while midfielder Mateo doubled their lead in the 72nd (2-0).
Police FC advanced to the third spot in the league after securing 12 points from eight matches with a positive goal difference.
Also read: BPL Football: Bashundhara Kings continue unbeaten run beating Sheikh Russell 3-1
Bangladesh Championship League: Wari Club beat Uttara FC 2-0
Wari Club beat Uttara Football Club 2-0 in the Bangladesh Championship League (BCL) Football 2022-23 at the Birshreshtha Shaheed Shipahi Mohammad Mostafa Kamal Stadium in Dhaka's Kamalapur Thursday.
After a goalless 79 minutes, Hafizur and Rahul scored Wari's account in the 80th minute. He again found the back of the net in the 88th minute to seal the win for his team.
Uttara's Shimanto was sent off after receiving two yellow cards.
In the day's other league match, Fakirerpool Youngmen's Club beat former giant Dhaka Wanderers Club 1-0 at the same venue.
Tarikul scored the winner in the 80th minute of the match.
SAFF U-20 Women's Championship: Bangladesh to play Nepal Friday
India, Nepal, and Bhutan have arrived in Dhaka to play the four-nation SAFF U-20 Women's Championship 2023 at the Birshrestha Shaheed Sipahi Mostafa Kamal Stadium in the capital's Kamalapur.
These three teams and hosts Bangladesh will compete in the championship scheduled for February 3-9, initially on a league basis. After that, two top teams will play in the final on February 9 at 6pm at the same venue.
The South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) has organised the championship under the supervision of the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF).
Bhutan reached Dhaka Tuesday, Nepal and India Wednesday.
Hosts Bangladesh will start their campaign by taking on Nepal in one of the two opening-day matches at 7pm.
Earlier in the tournament's opener, India will play Bhutan at 3pm at the same venue.
Read more: SAFF U-20 Women's Championship: Bangladesh start campaign with Nepal match February 3
Midfielder Shamsunnahar will lead the Bangladesh team and goalkeeper Rupna Chakma will be vice-captain.
In the remaining league basis match, Bangladesh will face their arch-rivals India on February 5 at 7pm and Nepal will play Bhutan at 3pm.
Bangladesh will play Bhutan on February 7 at 7pm in their last league match while India will lock horns with Nepal at 4pm.
Fed Cup Football: Sheikh Jamal DC play 2-2 draw with Dhaka Mohammedan SC
Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club, coming from behind twice, drew 2-2 with Dhaka Mohammedan Sporting Club in a Group A match of the Bashundhara Group Federation Cup Football 2022-23 at the Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni Stadium in Gopalganj on Tuesday.
The match was also locked in 1-1 goal in the first half.
Local medio Arif Hossain put the traditional black and whites Mohammedan SC ahead in the 28th minute (1-0) while St Vincent forward Stewart leveled the margin for Sheikh Jamal in the 44th minute (1-1).
Read more: Bangladesh Championship League: Uttara hold Wanderers to 1-1 draw
Another local midfielder Ashraful Haque Asif again put Mohammedan SC ahead in the 71st minute (2-1) while Gambian forward Sulayman Sillah again neutralized the margin in the 76th minute (2-2).
In the day's match, coming from behind, Rahmatganj MFS beat Azampur FC, Uttara by 2-1 goal at the Shaheed Dhirendranath Dutta Stadium in Cumilla on Tuesday.
Rohit Sarkar scored first for Azampur FC in the very 6th minute.(1-0).
But, forwards Velencia and Ashraful Islam scored two quick goals in span of only three minutes (71st and 74th minutes) to win the match (2-1).
Bangladesh Championship League: Uttara hold Wanderers to 1-1 draw
Once giant Dhaka Wanderers Club shared points with Uttara Football Club Monday as the day's only Bangladesh Championship League (BCL) Football 2022-23 match ended in a draw.
At the Birshreshtha Shaheed Shipahi Mohammad Mostafa Kamal Stadium in Dhaka's Kamalapur, Mishu Put Uttara ahead in the 29th minute (1-0). Shohag equalised for Wanderers in the 41st minute (1-1).
Little Friends Club will play NoFel Sporting Club in Tuesday's lone BCL match at the same venue.
Madrid frustrated by Sociedad, loses ground to Barcelona
Vinícius Júnior had his share of chances to break the deadlock. More than once, the Brazil forward was in front of the opposition goal with only the 'keeper to beat.
But Vinicius and his teammates couldn't get the job done on Sunday as Real Madrid was held to a 0-0 draw at home by third-place Real Sociedad to lose ground to Barcelona at the top of the Spanish league.
The result left defending champion Madrid five points behind the Catalan rival, which won 1-0 at Girona on Saturday. Sociedad stayed three points behind Madrid, and eight behind Barcelona. Both Madrid and Barcelona have a game in hand.
Vinícius played well overall and created some good opportunities for himself, but in the end was thwarted by a great performance from Sociedad goalkeeper Álex Remiro. He made three key saves against close-range attempts by Vinícius, and also saw the Brazilian send the ball wide in a one-on-one situation.
“Vinícius played a good match, if he had scored it would have been a spectacular one," Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said. “He has been playing well. Sometimes he will miss, but he is always trying.”
Karim Benzema and Rodrygo also couldn't break through the Sociedad defense as Madrid was held scoreless for the first time this season despite more than 20 attempts against Sociedad, which also had its opportunities in an intense match at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.
Read more: Benzema keeps on scoring, Madrid stays close to Barcelona
“We played a very complete game but couldn't score,” Ancelotti said. “We were close. I'm satisfied with the draw because we played well.”
Madrid, coming off a home win in the derby against Atletico Madrid in the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey, remains unbeaten against Sociedad since a 4-3 home loss in the quarterfinals of the Copa in 2020, a competition the Basque Country side won.
Sociedad was coming off a 1-0 loss at Barcelona in the Copa quarterfinals, a result that ended its nine-game winning streak in all competitions. It had been one of the hottest teams in Spain until the consecutive setbacks against the powerhouses.
ATLETICO REBOUNDS
Atletico Madrid bounced back from its Copa elimination against Madrid with a 1-0 win at seventh-place Osasuna.
Substitute Saúl Ñíguez scored the winner less than 10 minutes after he had entered the match in the 65th.
Atletico relinquished a late 1-0 lead against Madrid to lose 2-1 in the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey on Thursday. The cup was the only competition Atletico realistically had a chance to win as it had already been eliminated from the Champions League and the Europa League, and it currently trails league leader Barcelona by 13 points.
“We are out of the Champions (League) and the Copa, but the motivation to play for Atletico remains,” Atletico coach Diego Simeone said. “I’ll always demand that from my players.”
Read more: Barça beats Betis to set up Super Cup final against Madrid
It was the third win in four games in all competitions for Simeone’s team, while struggling Osasuna remained winless in four straight.
Osasuna has only one victory in eight matches overall, though it hadn't lost since last year.
Atletico hadn’t won an away match in the league since October at Real Betis.
WILLIAMS’ RUN ENDS
Iñaki Williams’ absence in Athletic Bilbao’s 1-0 loss at Celta Vigo ended his record of 251 consecutive league appearances. He did not play in Vigo because of injury.
Williams had played in every league match for Bilbao since April 2016.
Veteran striker Iago Aspas scored Celta's winner in the 71st. The result moved Celta to 16th place, while Bilbao remained eighth.
Bilbao is winless in five league games, since a 3-0 home victory against Valladolid before the World Cup.
VALENCIA’S STRUGGLES
Valencia’s struggles continued with a 1-0 loss at Valladolid, adding pressure on coach Gennaro Gattuso.
Valencia has only one win in its last 10 league games, against Real Betis before the World Cup. It dropped to 14th place and one point above the relegation zone.
Canadian forward Cyle Larin scored a 90th-minute winner for 17th-place Valladolid, which ended its five-game losing streak across all competitions.
PSG held to 1-1 draw after Reims equalizes in stoppage time
Striker Folarin Balogun equalized deep into stoppage time as Reims earned a 1-1 draw at French league leader Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday, keeping PSG three points ahead of second-place Lens.
Balogun, who began his career at Premier League team Arsenal and stood out throughout the game with his movement, latched onto a long pass in the sixth minute of injury time. He easily beat veteran defender Sergio Ramos for pace before confidently shooting past goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
It was the 21-year-old forward's 11th league goal of the season and one less than PSG's scorer Neymar.
Neymar struck in the 51st to move one behind league top scorer and teammate Kylian Mbappé, before PSG had midfielder Marco Verratti sent off for a dangerous tackle on Japan winger Junya Ito in the 59th. Verratti made his return from a thigh injury when he came on for the second half.
Read more: Late goals help PSG beat 3rd-tier Châteauroux in French Cup
Midtable Reims extended its unbeaten run to 12 games, which included holding PSG to a 0-0 draw at home in October, and was the better side in the first half.
Donnarumma almost gave a goal away after 23 seconds when he hacked a back pass straight to the opposition but got away with it.
Balogun went close midway through the first half and teammate Marshall Munetsi — a midfielder with Zimbabwe — also caused problems for PSG's static defense.
Referee Ruddy Buquet awarded Reims a penalty shortly after Neymar's goal for a foul on Balogun but changed his mind following a video review.
In the end, Balogun had his say.
PSG has won only one of its last four league games, losing two, and coach Christophe Galtier acknowledged there is a problem.
“We were soporific in the first half, we were quickly split in two and we were on the back foot,” he said. “We abandoned our defense.”
Since the World Cup, PSG has won only two of its five league games and both have been against strugglers. PSG needed an injury-time penalty from Mbappé to beat Strasbourg 2-1, and it beat rock-bottom Angers 2-0. With a much tougher test against Bayern Munich approaching in the round of 16 of the Champions League, PSG needs to improve fast.
Either side of playing Bayern on Feb. 14, PSG has two away games at bitter rival Marseille, in the French Cup and in the league. Marseille is only five points behind PSG in third spot.
Earlier, striker Gaetan Laborde scored the winner as Nice beat Lille 1-0 to end the northern side's six-game unbeaten run.
Laborde netted in the 34th minute after Badredine Bouanani intercepted a poor back pass and set him up for a first-time finish. Lille had not lost in the league since Oct. 30.
Read more: Leader PSG loses 3-1 at Lens for 1st defeat; Monaco in 4th
TEMPERS FLARE
Alexandre Lacazette notched his 12th league goal of the season as Lyon won 2-0 at Corsican side Ajaccio to move into ninth place.
Tempers flared after the game as Lyon coach Laurent Blanc grabbed Ajaccio coach Olivier Pantaloni's face after they had shaken hands, and shoved him away following a verbal exchange.
Pantaloni, who played for Ajaccio as a striker in the 1990s, then walked over to Lyon's bench and clashed with Lyon's goalkeeper coach Rémy Vercoutre. Security officials had to separate them as angry home fans banged on the dugout.
Lacazette cut short his post-game television interview when a lighter thrown from the crowd landed near him. Vercoutre had to be escorted away as fans insulted him and some tried to get on the field.
The visitors took the lead in the 20th when 20-year-old midfielder Johann Lepenant turned in Bradley Barcola's pass.
Lacazette, who re-joined hometown Lyon in the summer after five seasons in the Premier League with Arsenal, scored his 144th goal overall for the club in the 72nd. France's 2018 World Cup winner Corentin Tolisso and Argentina's World Cup-winning left back Nicolás Tagliafico combined to set him up.
OTHER MATCHES
Dutch forward Thijs Dallinga scored twice for Toulouse in a 2-1 win at struggling Strasbourg.
Veteran striker Kevin Gameiro put the Alsace side ahead in the 20th, but Dallinga equalized for Toulouse five minutes later and struck again early in the second half.
Strikers Jérémy Le Douaron and Steve Mounie scored first-half goals for Brest in a 4-0 home win against bottom side Angers. Midfielders Franck Honorat and Pierre Lees-Melou scored after the break.
English forward Stephy Mavididi scored both goals as Montpellier got a much-needed 2-0 win at 19th-place Auxerre to move away from relegation trouble, and Clermont drew 0-0 at home to Nantes.