United News of Bangladesh

Barcelona is on course for a hat trick of European titles after beating Trabzonspor 4-1 in the UEFA Youth League final on Monday. It was won the day after Barcelona reached the Women’s Champions League final and two days before the men’s team hosts Inter Milan in the first leg of the Champions League semifinals. Leading from the 11th minute, on the first of two precise left-foot strikes by Mali youth international Ibrahim Diarra, Barcelona was rarely tested to claim a record third European youth title. Trabzonspor got a deserved goal in the 88th. No club has swept European titles at each level since the Youth League started in the 2013-14 season. Barcelona won the inaugural edition and also lifted the trophy in 2018. Barcelona’s youth system is so strong that first-team players Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi were still eligible for the under-19 team that plays in the UEFA Youth League. The starting lineup on Monday had 10 players older than superstar winger Yamal, who turned 17 last July on the eve of helping Spain win the European Championship final against England. Barcelona was too strong for Trabzonspor, the first Turkish team to reach even the round of 16 in the competition. Hundreds of its noisy claret-and-blue fans outnumbered Barcelona’s support in the small stadium next to UEFA headquarters. Champions League semifinals: Barcelona-Inter rekindle memories of 2010 classic Diarra’s opening goal was added to in the 18th when defender Andres Cuenca tapped in a loose ball after goalkeeper Erol Can Çolak pushed away a powerful header by Landry Farré. Barcelona captain Hugo Alba placed a rising shot in the 57th and Diarra again found the bottom corner of the net in the 68th. A late header by Trabzonspor defender Bican Tibukoğlu hardly dimmed the celebrations for Barcelona, which could have a stellar end to the season. The La Liga-leading men’s team must get past Inter over two legs to earn a Champions League final on May 31 in Munich against Paris Saint-Germain or Arsenal. The women’s team faces Arsenal in their Champions League final on May 24 in Lisbon. The youth team coached by Juliano Belletti — who scored a Champions League-winning goal for Barcelona against Arsenal in 2006 — did its part on Monday.

The Champions League semifinals bring a familiar clash as Barcelona’s dynamic attack meets Inter Milan’s resilient defense. Sound familiar? It harks back to 2010 — when Lamine Yamal was not yet three years old and Lionel Messi was approaching his peak — as Camp Nou staged one of the most iconic matches in tournament history. That night, Inter, managed by Jose Mourinho, protected a 3-1 first-leg advantage with a defensive masterclass, surviving more than an hour with 10 men to lose only 1-0 and reach the final. As Barcelona and Inter prepare to meet again on Wednesday, memories of that gripping encounter will resurface — with both teams displaying similar characteristics to those from 15 years ago. Barcelona has returned to the Champions League semifinals for the first time since 2018-19, powered by the competition’s most potent attack in the expanded 36-team group stage. Led by Yamal, Raphinha, and Robert Lewandowski, Barca scored 28 goals in eight games and added nine more in knockout wins over Benfica and Borussia Dortmund. Meanwhile, Serie A champion Inter has maintained its defensive steel, conceding just once in the group stage and edging Bayern Munich in a gritty quarterfinal. Inter’s run carries echoes of its 2010 triumph, when it captured its third European Cup title by defeating Bayern in the final. Arsenal vs. Paris Saint-Germain While Barcelona-Inter offers a rich history, the semifinal between Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain feels much fresher. The two sides have met only three times in the Champions League and never in the knockout rounds. One of those meetings was earlier this season, with Arsenal claiming a 2-0 victory at Emirates Stadium. Arsenal will host the first leg on Tuesday, aiming to build on the momentum from their impressive quarterfinal wins over reigning champion Real Madrid. PSG, on the other hand, are looking to eliminate a third consecutive English opponent after knocking out Liverpool and Aston Villa — though the latter less convincingly. With former stars Kylian Mbappe, Neymar, and Messi gone, PSG is pursuing its first Champions League title with a new generation of rising talents. Arsenal is also seeking a historic first European crown, having last reached the semifinals in 2009.  

Real Madrid defender Antonio Rüdiger has issued an apology following his angry reaction toward the referee after his team’s Copa del Rey final loss to Barcelona. The German international lost his temper when teammate Kylian Mbappé was fouled late in extra time, denying a potential goal-scoring opportunity, during Madrid’s 3-2 defeat early Sunday. Rüdiger, who had to be restrained by teammates and staff, was seen throwing a small ice bag onto the field and yelling at the referee. “There’s no excuse for my behavior last night,” Rüdiger posted on Instagram on Sunday. “I sincerely apologize. From the second half onward, we played a very good game.” Rüdiger, whose legs were bandaged during the match, was substituted midway through the second half of extra time. “After 111 minutes, I could no longer help my team, and before the final whistle, I made a mistake,” he added. “Apologies again to the referee and to everyone I let down last night.” Referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoechea also issued red cards to Jude Bellingham and Lucas Vázquez for their protests. Argentina's San Lorenzo club pays tribute to Pope Francis during match In his match report, De Burgos noted that Rüdiger "threw an object from the coaching area that didn’t reach me" and described his behavior as "aggressive." Rüdiger could now face a multi-match suspension, while Bellingham and Vázquez are expected to receive lighter punishments. A day before the final, De Burgos had criticized what he called a smear campaign against him by Real Madrid’s official television channel.

Argentine soccer club San Lorenzo paid tributes to its fan Pope Francis during a national league home match on Saturday. The pontiff, who died last Monday at age 88, was buried in Rome before the game. San Lorenzo players wore a patch on their shirts with an image of Jorge Mario Bergoglio smiling and wearing his papal robes, accompanied by the phrase “Together for Eternity.” Visiting side Rosario Central won 1-0 thanks to an injury time goal. Before the match, children from an initiative promoted by Bergoglio paraded with San Lorenzo's youth team at Nuevo Gasómetro Stadium. The club's blue and red colors were mixed in the stands with the yellow and white of the Vatican flag in the form of smoke, ribbons and flags, some of them featuring the pope's face. Fans gave Francis a standing ovation only hours after he was buried in Rome. Pope Francis laid to rest as world leaders mourn San Lorenzo’s stadium is in the Bajo Flores neighborhood, close to Bergoglio’s birthplace. The pontiff was the club's 88,235th member. A club founded by Catholic priest Lorenzo Massa, San Lorenzo is expected to return to the neighborhood of the same name in Buenos Aires by the construction of a new stadium, which will be named “Pope Francis.”

Barcelona has launched its bid for a treble after edging Real Madrid 3-2 in a thrilling Copa del Rey final with Jules Koundé scoring an extra-time winner on Saturday. Right back Koundé pounced on a pass by Luka Modric and fired into the low corner of Thibaut Courtois’ net for the 116th-minute decider. Barcelona will carry momentum from its record-extending 32nd Copa del Rey title into Wednesday’s start of its Champions League semifinal series against Inter Milan. It also leads La Liga by four points over Madrid. Pedri González dictated the game for Barcelona from midfield and scored from long range to take a 28th minute-lead at La Cartuja Stadium. Madrid rallied with two second-half goals, with Kylian Mbappé coming off the bench at halftime and scoring from a free kick in the 70th and midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni's header in the 77th making it 2-1. Ferran Torres leveled in the 84th to force extra time. Barcelona has beaten Madrid in all three of the clasicos this season, including a 5-2 rout in the Spanish Super Cup final in January after winning 4-0 at Madrid in the league in October. “This was such a physically demanding game, but we showed that we are a great team that never gives up,” said Torres, who filled in perfectly for the injured Robert Lewandowski. BPL Football: Mohammedan- Abahani top of the table clash ends in goalless draw The loss to its fierce rival was another blow to Madrid after it was knocked out of the Champions League quarterfinals by Arsenal. This could have been its last title decider with Carlo Ancelotti in charge. The Italian coach said he will decide his future this summer amid speculation he is bound to take over Brazil. Ancelotti, when asked about his future, said: “As I have said, I can continue, I can stop, it will be a topic for the coming weeks.” While Ancelotti’s second stint in Madrid appears to be coming to an end, Hansi Flick has only added to his superb first season with Barcelona. The German coach has invigorated a group of players who seemed spent under Xavi Hernández and helped young players such as Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsí continue to grow into stars. “I have to say thanks to the team because they had an unbelievable performance,” Flick said. “A huge win in the Copa final is great for everyone and it gives us confidence for more." King Felipe VI awarded the trophy to Barcelona captains Ronald Araujo and Marc-Andre ter Stegen, after the monarch returned to Spain following his attendance at the funeral of Pope Francis. The trophy is the first piece needed to repeat a treble that Barcelona won under Pep Guardiola in 2009 and Luis Enrique in 2015. Red for Rudiger on bench Madrid's Antonio Rudiger was shown a red card by the referee in the final moments when he apparently threw wice at the referee and shouted aggressively. Jude Bellingham and Lucas Vázquez were also shown red cards for protesting. Barcelona dominates first half One of the biggest rivalries in global soccer was again a tale of two halves – until Torres scored the late equalizer against the flow of play to renew Barcelona's prospects. Barcelona dominated the first half with its ball control and a pressure defense that was quick to recover the ball. The only semblance of a Madrid attack came when Bellingham was able to spin away from his marker. But a Bellingham pass intercepted by Cubarsí cued Barcelona’s opener. Pedri lobbed forward for Yamal, breaking down the flank. The 17-year-old phenom – sporting a new dyed-blond hairdo – threaded a pass back to the top of the box, where Pedri arrived to blast it home. Mbappé sparks Madrid fightback Mbappé started the game on the bench after injuring his ankle last week. But Ancelotti sent his striker on at halftime to replace Rodrygo. Modric and playmaker Arda Guler soon followed. The changes helped Madrid click, and the game became a back-and-forth contest with both teams creating scoring chances. Wojciech Szczesny had to protect Barcelona’s lead with three saves to deny Vinícius Júnior and Mbappé. The goalkeeper could do nothing, however, to stop Mbappe after he earned a foul and fired a free kick low and just inside the post. Copa del Rey referee denounces Real Madrid video discrediting him before final Tchouaméni rose up to head in a corner kick that Guler curled into to the edge of the six-yard box. Barcelona finishes it off “I told Ronald (Araujo) that it doesn’t matter if they score one goal, it doesn’t matter if they score two goals. They can’t hang with us,” Yamal said after his two-assist performance. Turns out, he was right. Yamal put a long ball behind the defense and Courtois mistimed his run out to intercept it, leaving Torres with an open net to tie it up. Raphinha thought he had a penalty in the final minute of injury time after contact with Raúl Asencio. But the referee, who the day before the final denounced a campaign to discredit him by Real Madrid’s official club television, waived off his initial decision after consulting video. With several players clearly exhausted in extra time the game appeared destined to finish in a penalty shootout. But that was when Koundé became the hero for the Catalan club.

The Titans' battle of Bangladesh  Premier League (BPL) Football between league leader Dhaka Mohammedan  SC and former champions  Dhaka Abahani Limited ended in a goalless draw at the Shaheed Dhirendranath Datta Stadium in Cumilla on Saturday. The traditional black and whites Mohammedan SC were restricted to 10-man in the 42nd minute of the match but they snatched one important point from Abahani fighting equally. Mahbub Alam of Mohammedan SC got marching order in the 42nd minute of the match after receiving a direct red card. For right charge In the day's another match, defending champions Bashundhara Kings dropped points to mediocre Rahmatganj Friends Society also in a goalless affairs at the FL, Lt Matiur Rahman Stadium in Munshiganj Saturday afternoon. In the day's other match, Brothers Union Club beat Chittagong Abahani Ltd by 2-0 goals at the District Stadium Mymensingh Saturday afternoon. Gambian medio Zakaria put the Gopibagh outfit Brothers ahead in the 13th minute while  Nigerian forward Mfon Sunday confirmed the Brother victory scoring one more goal in the 76th minute After the day's matches in the 12th round Dhaka Mohammedan SC is comfortably dominating the league securing 31 points, Dhaka Abahani followed them with 27 points, holders Bashundhara Kings were in distant 3rd with 21 points while Rahmatganj MFS are in the 4th slot with 19 points,    

The referee assigned to the Copa del Rey final, Ricardo de Burgos Bengoechea, became visibly emotional on Friday as he spoke about the abuse his child has endured due to public criticism of referees, particularly fueled by top football clubs like Real Madrid. Speaking to reporters, De Burgos shared his pain following the release of a video by Real Madrid’s own TV channel that accused him of being biased against the club. “It’s heartbreaking to see your child come home from school in tears because classmates are calling his father a crook,” he said, his voice trembling. “I tell my son that his father is an honest man. Like any athlete, I make mistakes, but I always act with integrity,” he added. “I want him to be proud of me and of the profession I represent. No one should have to endure the kind of attacks my fellow referees are facing.” The Real Madrid TV video claimed that Madrid won 64% of its games refereed by De Burgos, compared to 81% won by Barcelona under his watch. An unnamed voice called it “an incredible difference” while also questioning his talent and showing images of his alleged errors. The video was accompanied by dramatic music. It failed to say who the opponents were in those matches or if they were played home or away. AHF Cup Hockey : Holders Bangladesh eliminated from semifinal losing to Oman Many neutral observers see this as Madrid attempting to pressure referees before games. Madrid faces Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final on Saturday in Seville. Bashing referees The club’s TV has made it a regular practice to air videos discrediting referees. Its part of a hostile publicity campaign the club has launched this season against soccer’s rule keepers. In February, the club sent a letter to the Spanish Football Federation claiming that the record 36-time league champion was being routinely harmed by refereeing decisions. It said “decisions against Real Madrid have reached a point that the adulteration and manipulation of the competition cannot be ignored.” Another referee who red-carded Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham for cursing at him was reported by some Spanish media outlets of having business activities that meant a conflict of interest with refereeing. The federation looked into the matter before clearing him of any suspicions.   Not taking it anymore De Burgos spoke along with video assistant referee Pablo González Fuertes at the now customary pre-Copa del Rey press conference for the referee crew, a rare moment for referees to be questioned by the press. González Fuertes supported his fellow referee and launched a warning that Spain’s referees were going to take unspecified actions to curtail attacks on their honor. “Do not have the least doubt that we are going to have to start taking more serious measures,” González Fuertes said, without giving details. He added that he was worried that the verbal hate referees receive from players and as well on social media could have real-world consequences. “One day we will have a real problem and we will all hold our heads and condemn what happened, but who will be held responsible for the situation?” Madrid responds Madrid fired back at the referees, calling their statements “unacceptable" in a statement issued late Friday. “These statements, which have surprisingly placed in the spotlight videos made by a media outlet protected by freedom of expression, such as Realmadrid TV, made in a premeditated manner 24 hours ahead of the final against one of its participants, demonstrate, once again, these referees clear and manifest animosity and hostility towards Real Madrid,” the club said.        

A soccer player from a third-division English club was sentenced to 14 months in prison Thursday for causing the death of a cyclist three years ago, West Yorkshire police said. Lucas Akins, a forward for League One team Mansfield, was driving a Mercedes when it struck 33-year-old cyclist Adrian Daniel at an intersection near Huddersfield on March 17, 2022. Daniel died 10 days later. Akins, 36, was sentenced at Leeds Crown Court after having previously admitted causing a death by careless or inconsiderate driving. Akins, who played in Mansfield's game on Monday, was also disqualified from driving for a year. “The club is considering its position with regards to Lucas and will be making no further comment at this stage,” Mansfield said in a statement that also offered “sincere and deepest condolences to the family of Adrian Daniel.” Bologna advances to face AC Milan in Italian Cup final Daniel's wife, Savanna, said in a statement after sentencing that "three years of hell, three years of avoidance and adding further to my trauma has finally come to a close today with Akins’ sentencing,” according to the West Yorkshire police announcement. “Never being allowed to fully live the reality of Adrian’s absence,” she continued, “because of the farce Akins has made of the justice system and the chances offered to him, has finally been put to bed and this man is no more deserving of any further of my time or concern.” Barcelona takes a commanding 4-1 lead over Chelsea in Women's Champions League semifinals series It should have been resolved sooner, she added, which “makes a mockery of any remorse that Akins offers for his actions.” Akins has made several appearances for the Grenada national team.

Bologna advanced past Empoli to reach its first Italian Cup final in more than half a century on Thursday. Thijs Dallinga's 87th-minute header earned Bologna a 2-1 win and the team advanced 5-1 on aggregate. Giovanni Fabbian opened the scoring for Bologna with a header seven minutes in. Then Viktor Kovalenko equalized for Empoli in the 30th by turning in a rebound to finish off a counterattack. Bologna won the first leg 3-0. In the May 14 final in Rome, Bologna will face AC Milan, which eliminated city rival Inter Milan on 4-1 aggregate following a 3-0 win on Wednesday. Bologna last reached the Cup final in 1974, when it claimed its second title in the competition. It’s the fourth final for Bologna coach Vincenzo Italiano in three seasons, having guided Fiorentina to the last two Conference League finals and the Cup final in 2023. Ronaldo is rested and returning his attention to an Asian Champions League title The Cup winner earns a spot in the Europa League. But Bologna is currently fourth in Serie A and on course to qualify for the Champions League for a second straight season. Last weekend, Bologna beat Serie A leader Inter Milan 1-0 in the Italian league.

The remaining part of the ill-fated Federation Cup Football final between holders Bashundhara Kings and former champions Dhaka Abahani Limited will be held on Tuesday at the Rafiq Uddin Bhuiyan Stadium in Mymensingh. The decision was taken at a league committee meeting of the BFF held on Wednesday. The remaining 15-minute play will begin at 3:30 pm at the Rafiq Uddin Stadium, where the final match was postponed in the 105th minute, after 15 minutes of the first extra session, due to bad light at the stadium following heavy rain and cyclonic winds. The final match, which was locked at 1-1 goals at the time of postponement on Tuesday, will move to a tie-breaking session if the match fails to produce any result in the remaining 15 minutes. The title-deciding clash between the two arch-rivals was initially halted on Tuesday in the second minute of the second half following heavy rain and strong winds. After more than an hour’s break, the match resumed on a waterlogged, muddy, and slippery pitch. However, referee Saimon Hasan Sunny was forced to suspend the game again after the first extra-time session (105th minute) due to insufficient light, as the Mymensingh venue lacks floodlights. Argentine forward Juan Lescano gave Bashundhara Kings an early lead in the 6th minute with a well-placed header from the danger zone, capitalizing on a free-kick delivered by defender Mohammad Saaduddin (1-0). But the lead was short-lived, as Abahani’s Mohammad Ibrahim equalized in the 13th minute with a precise placing shot from close range, set up by a cutback from Nigerian forward Emeka (1-1). Bashundhara Kings were reduced to 10 men in the 102nd minute when Foysal Ahmed Fahim was shown a straight red card for an illegal tackle, and the Kings will have to play the remaining part of the final with ten players.