United News of Bangladesh

Khaldoon Al Mubarak, chairman of Manchester City, has long played a prominent role in the United Arab Emirates, working with world leaders including US President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron. Earlier this year, Al Mubarak sat with Trump in Davos and signed the UAE government's agreement to join the US president's Board of Peace. In June, he attended a signing ceremony with Macron at the Palace of Versailles for a business summit. The 50-year-old is also a UAE special envoy to China. He welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping to Manchester City when Xi visited England in 2015. Al Mubarak's involvement in international affairs reflects his position within Abu Dhabi's ruling elite. He is the head of the $385 billion Mubadala sovereign wealth fund and serves in several other government and business roles. He advises UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and sits on the boards of Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company. He also helped develop ties between Abu Dhabi and Formula One before the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix joined the F1 calendar. When Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, now a UAE deputy prime minister, bought Manchester City in 2008, Al Mubarak was appointed chairman. Under his leadership, the club transformed from a long-time underachiever into one of Europe's most successful teams. However, an independent Premier League panel has now found that the club broke financial rules during that period. The Premier League said Tuesday that City, which has dominated English soccer over the past 15 seasons, systematically violated financial regulations. The panel said the club used “sham” commercial agreements to conceal more than 830 million pounds ($1.1 billion) in funding from its Abu Dhabi owners between 2009 and 2018. The panel also said some club witnesses gave evidence they knew was untrue. The funds helped finance expensive player transfers and wages, contributing to City's rise as a major European club. Its success brought more prize money, strengthened its global brand and helped attract leading players, including current star striker Erling Haaland. City can appeal the verdict. Reports about the ruling emerged Friday in The Athletic, prompting a response from Al Mubarak the following day. He said the legal process was not over and that the club remained confident it could prove its innocence. “The Premier League process still has a long way to run, and our confidence and intent in proving the Club's innocence is just as strong as when this began,” he said. In a rare 2009 interview with The Guardian, Al Mubarak described Manchester City as a representation of Abu Dhabi's values, including loyalty, commitment, discipline, long-term thinking and respect for history. He is also chairman of City Football Group, which owns a global network of 12 clubs, including New York City FC. An economics graduate of Tufts University near Boston, Al Mubarak has held several senior government positions in addition to leading Mubadala. His family has also experienced tragedy in public service. His father, Khalifa Al Mubarak, was a UAE diplomat and ambassador to France. He was assassinated in Paris in February 1984 when Khaldoon was 8. The killing was linked to the Abu Nidal Organization, a militant group that opposed Israel. Gulf media have reported that the UAE's royal family supported and mentored the young Al Mubarak after his father's death. A street in Abu Dhabi was renamed after his father in 2018. Al Mubarak's role at Manchester City also came under scrutiny as UEFA and the Premier League investigated the club's finances. Both major cases were linked to internal club emails and documents obtained by a hacker and whistleblower and later published by German magazine Der Spiegel in 2018. UEFA had investigated City in 2014 and 2020. In the 2020 case, the club successfully appealed a two-year Champions League ban. The leaked documents also highlighted Al Mubarak's determination to fight regulatory action. In 2014, as UEFA discussed a possible settlement over a rules violation, City lawyer Simon Cliff wrote in an email that Al Mubarak was prepared to spend 30 million pounds on top lawyers and pursue legal action for years.

Pep Guardiola has reaffirmed his support for Manchester City after the club was found guilty of dozens of financial violations committed during his time as manager. Guardiola, who has managed City since 2016, said he would continue to stand by the club following the publication of a report by an independent panel on Tuesday. “I want every single Man City fan to know I am here; more than ever,” Guardiola wrote on social media Wednesday. “I am, always have been, always will be, behind my club, my owner, my chairman, Ferran, the players, staff, Enzo and you, our unique supporters.” “Let me be clear: we will get through this together. I love you all,” he added in a post on X. Guardiola's message was accompanied by photos showing him wearing a Manchester City shirt and celebrating with club chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak, lifting the Champions League trophy, applauding supporters and celebrating the club's 2023 Premier League title. During Guardiola's 10-year tenure, City won six Premier League titles, the 2023 Champions League and three FA Cups, among other trophies. The club's alleged financial violations, which included what the league described as “sham” commercial deals, were valued at more than 900 million pounds ($1.19 billion).

Manchester City is facing one of the biggest controversies in English soccer after the Premier League ruled that the club breached almost all of the 115 financial charges brought against it. The league announced the verdict Tuesday after a yearslong investigation into whether City’s Abu Dhabi ownership broke financial rules to help turn the club into one of the world’s most successful teams. Premier League chief executive Richard Masters called the case and verdict “the most significant in Premier League history.” The club could face serious penalties, including a points deduction or even expulsion from the Premier League. The sanctions have yet to be decided. Here is a look at the case: How the case beganThe Premier League brought 80 charges against City in February 2023, covering the period from 2009 to 2018, the first nine seasons after the club came under Abu Dhabi ownership. The league accused City of providing inaccurate financial information, overstating sponsorship income from Abu Dhabi and failing to disclose payments made to managers and players. It also accused the club of breaching Premier League and UEFA financial regulations designed to prevent clubs from spending beyond their means. Another 35 charges related to City’s alleged failure to cooperate with the Premier League investigation from December 2018. The case was linked to internal emails published by German outlet Der Spiegel. The material, obtained through the Football Leaks website, allegedly showed attempts to hide the true sources of some of City’s income. What the commission foundThe independent commission ruled that City committed all of the financial breaches relating to 2009-18 and most of the charges involving its failure to cooperate. The findings said City used what the commission called “sham” contracts with commercial partners to hide more than £830 million ($1.1 billion) in funding from its Abu Dhabi owners. The commission also said some witnesses who gave evidence on City’s behalf provided information they knew was untrue. It concluded that the club intended to avoid Premier League rules. City rejects the findingsCity has consistently denied wrongdoing. The club did not challenge the authenticity of the emails published by Der Spiegel but said they were material taken out of context after being hacked or stolen from City Football Group. It described the publication of the material as an attempt to damage its reputation. After the charges were announced in 2023, City said it welcomed an independent investigation and believed there was comprehensive evidence supporting its position. City chief executive Ferran Soriano again rejected the allegations in an internal message to staff, saying the Premier League’s case was based on a false claim that the owners secretly transferred their own money into the club through Abu Dhabi sponsors. In a statement, City called the commission’s findings an “opinion” containing serious errors of law, principle and fact. The club said it would appeal and continue efforts to clear its name. What penalties could City face?The Premier League said punishment will be considered separately by the same independent commission at a confidential hearing. The timing has not been announced. City must first submit its appeal by Friday. Under Premier League rules, possible penalties include a fine, points deduction or expulsion from the league. Everton received a 10-point deduction in 2023 for breaching financial rules during a three-year period. The punishment was later reduced to six points. City faces a much broader set of allegations, including the charge of failing to cooperate with the investigation. City’s appeal would be heard by a three-member Appeal Panel. Sky Sports has reported that the club could also take the case to the High Court in London if it believes the process was unfair or lacked impartiality. City has faced UEFA punishment beforeUEFA previously accused City of overstating sponsorship income to comply with its Financial Fair Play rules, based on the same documents published by Der Spiegel. In 2020, UEFA found the club guilty of serious breaches between 2012 and 2016 and imposed a two-year ban from European competitions. The Court of Arbitration for Sport overturned the ban, ruling that some allegations had not been proven and others were time-barred. It instead fined City 10 million euros ($11.3 million) for failing to cooperate with investigators. Possible impact on City and Abu DhabiThe case could have financial consequences beyond any punishment imposed on City. Several rival clubs have reportedly been considering compensation claims, arguing that they suffered because of City’s alleged rule breaches. A recent precedent involved Everton, which was ordered to pay Burnley more than £35 million ($47 million) after Burnley argued that it would have avoided relegation in the 2021-22 season if Everton had received its financial penalty at the time. It remains unclear whether City could be stripped of its Premier League titles. The league’s rules allow the commission to make “such other order as it thinks fit,” potentially leaving that option open. Relegation could also lead to major changes to City’s squad, which includes stars such as Erling Haaland. The findings could also affect the reputation of Abu Dhabi, whose investment in Manchester City has been described by some commentators as part of a broader effort to increase its influence through sports. Former City manager Pep Guardiola, who guided the club to many of its titles, said in 2023 that he would leave if the club’s owners lied to him. “I will be out and you will not be my friend anymore,” Guardiola said.

Tim Ream, the longtime captain and defender of the U.S. men’s national soccer team, has announced his retirement from international football. Ream had previously told head coach Mauricio Pochettino that he did not intend to retire from national team duty, but said the team’s evolution and the changing nature of the game had led him to reconsider. “The kids are getting younger and younger, and I don’t mean my own kids,” Ream said Tuesday before the United States played Chile in a friendly in his hometown. “It is retirement. We’ve used the word recognition. We weren’t really sure how we wanted to label it, but, yeah, that’s it for me. I’m proud of being a part of something for 16 years, but it is time to step away and stay away from play with the national team.” The 38-year-old Ream earned 86 international appearances after making his U.S. debut in a friendly against South Africa on Nov. 17, 2010. Only DaMarcus Beasley has made more appearances for the United States than Ream’s 60 caps after turning 30. Ream wore the captain’s armband in 26 matches, including four games at this year’s World Cup. “It’s an honor, there’s not really any other way to put it,” Ream said. He said one of his main goals after becoming captain more regularly was to help prepare the next generation of leaders. “The biggest thing that I wanted to do as I started to get the captain’s armband more and more is, ‘How can I help these guys become the next captain? How can I help this group continue to develop and be more special than they are.’” Ream said the future of the U.S. team looks promising, pointing to a young generation of players including 17-year-old Cavan Sullivan. He said the emerging group reminded him of the period when current U.S. players Gio Reyna, Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie were breaking into the national team. “The thing that stands out to me with them is the same thing that stood out when the Westons, the Tylers, the Gios, these guys stepped in to the national team,” Ream said. “They have a ridiculous amount of confidence, and it’s refreshing. It borderlines being cocky, but I think you have to have that little bit of swagger. You have to have that belief in yourself. They’re still learning.” Ream said he will continue playing for Major League Soccer club Charlotte FC, although he has yet to decide what he will do with his MLS career beyond that.

Roberto Mancini's Italy produced a commanding performance in his second game in charge, defeating Turkey 4-1 in the Nations League on Monday, while Michael Olise scored late to give France a 1-0 victory over Belgium. Italy's emphatic win was a major improvement from Friday's 2-0 home defeat to Belgium, when the Azzurri struggled to impose themselves. The result also came six months after Italy failed to qualify for a third successive World Cup. Their next challenge will be significantly tougher as they travel to face France on Friday. France, meanwhile, secured its second victory under new coach Zinedine Zidane despite being without injured Kylian Mbappe. Kayode makes impressive Italy debutBrentford defender Michael Kayode marked his Italy debut by scoring once and assisting another goal as the visitors quickly took control. Italy went ahead in the ninth minute after Turkey's Zeki Celik failed to clear a corner properly, allowing Alessandro Bastoni to fire the loose ball into the roof of the net. Davide Frattesi doubled the advantage in the 22nd minute, finishing from close range after Turkey goalkeeper Altay Bayindir had parried Kayode's effort following a well-constructed team move. Kayode then added Italy's third five minutes later, finishing into the bottom-right corner after being played through by Pio Esposito. It was Italy's first three-goal opening half-hour in a competitive match in five years. Turkey reduced the deficit shortly after halftime when Baris Alper Yilmaz capitalized on a lapse in Italy's defense. However, Esposito restored Italy's three-goal cushion three minutes later, heading in the rebound after Sandro Tonali's curling effort struck the post. Pio Esposito's older brother Sebastiano also started the match, making it the first time since 1915 that two brothers had been named in Italy's starting lineup. Olise delivers late for FranceFrance controlled much of its match against Belgium and struck the woodwork twice before Olise finally found the breakthrough two minutes from full time. Mbappe missed the game after suffering a left-knee injury in Friday's 1-0 victory over Turkey, in which he scored his record-extending 67th international goal. Zidane made nine changes to his starting XI and handed international debuts to Jeremy Jacquet, Andy Diouf and Lucas Da Cunha. Belgium goalkeeper Senne Lammens kept his side in the contest with several important saves. Desire Doue hit the crossbar in the 12th minute, while Da Cunha's powerful effort from 25 yards struck the post. France eventually found the winner in the 88th minute when Olise collected the ball inside his own half, raced down the right flank, cut inside and fired a low shot into the bottom-left corner.

Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé has been diagnosed with a hyperextension injury to the posterior capsule of his left knee, the Spanish club said Saturday. Mbappé suffered the injury during France’s 1-0 Nations League victory over Turkey on Friday, leaving the field shortly after scoring his record-extending 67th international goal. France coach Zinedine Zidane had earlier said the initial prognosis was “not good.” Real Madrid confirmed the injury after medical tests on Saturday but did not provide a recovery timeline or specify the treatment planned for the forward. “After the tests carried out today on our player Kylian Mbappé by Real Madrid’s Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with a hyperextension of the posterior capsule of his left knee,” the club said in a statement. France is scheduled to play Belgium away on Monday before facing Italy on Oct. 2 and Belgium again three days later, with the latter two matches set to be held at Stade de France.

World champion Spain extended its unbeaten run to 39 matches after coming from behind to defeat England 3-2 in the Nations League at Wembley on Saturday. Mikel Oyarzabal, who came off the bench, scored the decisive goal in the 74th minute to complete Spain’s comeback after England led 2-1 at halftime. Oyarzabal had also scored the winning goal when Spain defeated England in the 2024 European Championship final. This time, he calmly chipped goalkeeper James Trafford from close range after receiving a pass from Alex Baena. England missed a chance to move 3-1 ahead when Harry Kane failed to convert a second-half penalty, while defensive mistakes also contributed to Spain’s first two goals. “We couldn’t unfortunately convert the penalty, that may have been the decisive moment because I think then Spain would have maybe for the first time believed that their long run of unbeaten games ends here,” England coach Thomas Tuchel told ITV Sport. “The third goal, I think, was the only goal that they really scored. The other ones there were too many individual big mistakes,” he said. Spain, playing its first match since defeating Argentina in the World Cup final, made a fast start when Lamine Yamal scored less than two minutes into the game. Yamal dispossessed England defender Marc Guehi before firing a low shot past Trafford into the far corner. Spain created several chances and Ferran Torres, who scored the winning goal in the World Cup final, twice failed to capitalize after getting through on goal. England eventually equalized in the 36th minute when Antony Gordon finished a quick counterattack after combining with Jude Bellingham. The hosts then took the lead four minutes later as Kane headed the ball, with his effort taking a deflection off Marc Cucurella. England had another opportunity early in the second half after Rodri brought down Kane inside the penalty area. Following a VAR review, a penalty was awarded, but Kane slipped during his run-up and missed. Spain took advantage of the reprieve in the 60th minute. Baena curled a low shot into the corner after Nico O'Reilly lost possession near his own goal. Oyarzabal then completed Spain’s comeback 14 minutes later, converting Baena’s assist. “We had a terrible start, the worst start possible. It makes it so difficult to be behind against this kind of team,” Tuchel said. “There will always be moments where you suffer against a team like this, the details matter. It matters that you take your chances and you reduce the decisive mistakes. This was not in our favor today,” he added. Modric continues to deliver Luka Modric showed his enduring quality at 41, scoring Croatia’s opening goal in a 2-1 away victory over the Czech Republic. Spain leads Group A3 ahead of Croatia on goals scored. New Scotland coach Sebastien Pocognoli began his tenure with a 0-0 draw against Slovenia. Elsewhere, Zeki Amdouni scored twice as Switzerland defeated North Macedonia 3-0, while Joel Pohjanpalo scored a hat trick in Finland’s 7-0 rout of bottom-ranked San Marino.

Manchester City is prepared to challenge the Premier League for months if the club is found guilty of alleged financial breaches in a case that could become one of the biggest scandals in English soccer. Reports on Friday said an independent panel had upheld almost all of the more than 100 financial charges brought against City. The club did not confirm the reported decision, saying its case with the Premier League was still "ongoing." However, City would appeal any guilty verdict, and the process could take several months, according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because of confidentiality requirements. The Athletic first reported that City had been found guilty of all but one of more than 100 charges brought by the Premier League. The league accused the club in February 2023 of providing misleading financial information over a nine-year period from 2009 to 2018. The report said the punishment has not yet been decided and that all options remain open. The BBC also reported the development. In a statement, City said: "The Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements to be completed, and subject to strict confidentiality." The club said its position remained unchanged from its previous statements and that it had consistently denied the charges. "City has diligently respected due process for eight years," the club said, adding that it expected the Premier League board and executive to act as an "independent, impartial and fair-minded regulator, free from partisan influence." If found guilty, City could face a major points deduction, with expulsion from the Premier League among the most severe possible punishments. The Premier League declined to comment when contacted by The Associated Press on Friday. City has repeatedly denied wrongdoing since allegedly hacked emails and documents were published by German magazine Der Spiegel from 2018. The documents allegedly suggested that the club had tried to hide the source of revenue from deals linked to Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi's ruling family bought City in 2008 and oversaw hundreds of millions of dollars in spending on some of the world's leading players over the following two decades. City has been one of the most successful teams in English soccer over the past 15 years, winning eight Premier League titles since 2012 and the Champions League in 2023. During the period covered by the charges, from 2009 to 2018, City won the Premier League three times in 2012, 2014 and 2018. The latest reports come after Pep Guardiola stepped down as City's manager at the end of last season following a highly successful period for the club. Guardiola had consistently maintained that City was innocent. "What people accuse us of, we do not agree with what they say," he said in 2023. Spain midfielder Rodri, who played for City from 2019 before joining Barcelona this offseason, also said he believed the club had done nothing wrong. "They always expressed the confidence that they never did something wrong, and we believe in that," Rodri said of City's ownership. "Until the moment they are proved wrong, we believe in the club. I've been there, I know how they work, and how they co-operate." Speaking at Wembley Stadium on Friday, a day before Spain was scheduled to play England in the Nations League, Rodri said City's recent titles could not be taken away. "It is something that is not paid by money, it is paid with effort, with partnership and with being shoulder to shoulder every day," he said. "We had a lot of success over the years, and here in Wembley, so I can tell you everything was deserved and I'm glad I could live one of the best eras of English football." Former Manchester United and England player Rio Ferdinand, meanwhile, suggested on X that City's titles should be removed and awarded to the runners-up in the respective seasons. "Another Premier League medal to be added to the cabinet," Ferdinand posted, referring to City's 2012 title ahead of United. The Premier League has financial fair play rules aimed at ensuring clubs largely spend within the limits of their legitimate revenues and that sponsorship deals reflect market value. City had previously faced allegations from UEFA, European soccer's governing body, of overstating sponsorship revenue to comply with its Financial Fair Play regulations. In 2020, UEFA ruled that City had committed "serious breaches" of FFP rules between 2012 and 2016. However, the Court of Arbitration for Sport later overturned a two-year European competition ban after finding that some allegations were not established or related to matters that were too old to be investigated. The Premier League charges followed a four-year investigation. City was accused of more than 100 breaches, including providing misleading financial information and failing to cooperate with the investigation.

Defensive mistakes proved costly for Bangladesh as Malaysia ran out 3-0 winners in their opening ASEAN Cup match on Thursday in Jakarta. Bangladesh stayed with Malaysia for the opening 15 minutes at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, but once Arif Aiman broke the deadlock in the 18th minute, the game seemed to slip away. Aiman opened the scoring after finding space in a Bangladesh defence that struggled to deal with the Malaysian attack. Shakil Ahad tried to close him down but could not prevent the forward from finishing. Bangladesh had a chance to respond in the 33rd minute. Sad Uddin’s pass found Rakib Hossain inside the Malaysia penalty area, but the forward was closely marked and could not get his shot away. Five minutes later, another mistake at the back left Bangladesh fighting a two-goal deficit. Shakil lost possession while trying to play the ball forward, allowing Aiman to go through one-on-one with goalkeeper Mehedi Hasan and score his second goal. Bangladesh made two changes at halftime, with Shahriar Emon and Shuki Itofusa replacing Fahmidul and Farhan. The changes brought some more pace to Bangladesh’s attack, but they could not turn that into clear chances. Instead, Malaysia scored again in the 52nd minute, with Bergson taking advantage of another lapse in the Bangladesh defence. Thomas Dooley made two further changes in the 59th minute, sending on Sheikh Morsalin and Zidan Yousuf for Tariq Kazi and Shamit Som. It was Zidan’s first senior appearance for Bangladesh. Bangladesh’s best chance to reduce the deficit came in the 75th minute when Hamza Choudhury had two attempts, but neither found the target. Shahriar Emon also got a shot away seven minutes later, only for the Malaysia goalkeeper to make a routine save. The defeat was Dooley’s second match in charge of Bangladesh. The result also ended Malaysia’s two-match run without a goal. Malaysia are ranked 136th in the FIFA rankings, 45 places above Bangladesh at 181st. The match was also the Bangladesh debut of 19-year-old Farhan, who is contracted to Premier League club Fulham and is currently on loan at National League side Boreham Wood. Bangladesh will face Singapore on September 28 before taking on Indonesia in their other Group One match.

Farhan Ali Wahed is expected to make his Bangladesh debut in the ASEAN Cup, and the 19-year-old English-born winger is hoping to make an impact alongside Hamza Chowdhury. Farhan is one of three foreign-born players in coach Thomas Duli’s squad for the tournament. Bangladesh are currently in Jakarta preparing for their opening match. Speaking after a training session, Farhan said he had received a warm welcome from his new teammates. “So far, the experience has been really good. This is my first experience with Bangladesh. Everyone in the team has welcomed me really well, made me feel at home, helped me and supported me,” he said in a video posted on the Bangladesh Football Federation’s official Facebook page. “I feel like we can go a long way from here. I’m really proud to be part of this team. I really want to do well for the national team. I feel like we can really do something and build something from here as a team.” Born and raised in England, Farhan comes from a Bengali family. He said his family had been happy with his decision to play for Bangladesh. “My whole family is Bengali. I made the decision and they were really happy with it. I just want to continue making them proud in the future,” he said. Hamza, who made his Bangladesh debut last year, also played a role in inspiring Farhan to represent the country. “Hamza is a role model for South Asian footballers. Hopefully, I can build a connection with him on the pitch and help Bangladesh win,” he said. Farhan has also recently taken a step toward regular senior football in England. He joined fifth-tier side Boreham Wood on loan from Premier League club Fulham for the 2026-27 season. He has already made four appearances for Boreham Wood. With regular first-team football in mind, Farhan chose the loan move rather than waiting for an opportunity with Fulham’s senior side. Now he will look to make his first appearances for Bangladesh count in Jakarta.