United News of Bangladesh

UEFA and top European soccer clubs are set to drop the Swiss agency that has sold Champions League rights since 1992 and replace it with the U.S. firm of Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross. New York-based Relevent Sports has been given exclusive negotiating rights “over the global commercial rights to the UEFA men’s club competitions for the period 2027-2033,” UEFA said Tuesday, announcing the decision of its commercial joint venture with the European Club Association. UEFA men’s club competitions — including the Champions League, Europa League, Conference League and Super Cup — have earned gross commercial revenue of at least 4.4 billion euros ($4.54 billion) for each season through 2027, almost entirely sold by established agency partner TEAM Marketing. The 36 Champions League teams this season will share about 2.5 billion euros ($2.6 billion) in prize money from UEFA, and influential officials from those clubs pushed for the move from TEAM toward a fresh approach by Relevent. Relevent’s first Champions League deal with UEFA was struck in 2022 during the company's long-standing legal action against FIFA to try to stage national league games from Europe in the U.S. That case was settled last April and weeks later FIFA said it would review rules blocking so-called “out-of-territory” games. Man City vs Real Madrid: European giant faces UCL exit The first deal with UEFA let Relevent market just the United States rights for three Champions League seasons through 2027, in the new format with extra games. That American deal cut into the global marketing of the marquee club competition by TEAM Marketing in Switzerland since the traditional European Cup was rebranded 33 years ago. UEFA said the decision favoring Relevent followed a tender process “which attracted bids from a number of global and regional agencies.” “Naturally we are disappointed, but we remain incredibly proud of the work we have done alongside UEFA over the past 35 years,” TEAM said in a statement from its base in Lucerne. “Together, we have built a world-class commercial program that has delivered over 50 billion euros ($52 billion) in revenue for European club football.” A confirmed deal between Relevent and the UEFA-ECA joint ventures is expected within weeks, UEFA said. Relevent becoming the exclusive sales agent for UEFA men's club competitions likely will renew speculation about one day bringing a Champions League final to the United States. It has been a regular talking point since UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin was elected in 2016. The final is the only Champions League game played at the weekend each season and would be a lucrative option for UEFA to take to the U.S., though also likely to be opposed by fans. 'The subject is over': Guardiola dismisses Real Madrid's Ballon d'Or boycott The next available final for UEFA to seek bidders to host is the title match of the 2027-28 season, the first in the commercial cycle Relevent is now in exclusive talks to market.

Manchester City and Real Madrid go head-to-head again in the Champions League on Tuesday, with the eventual loser facing an unusually early exit from European club soccer's most prestigious tournament. The giants are meeting in the two-legged playoffs after struggling in the new-look league phase of the competition. This is the fourth year in a row they have faced each other in the Champions League, with the winner on the three previous occasions going on to lift the trophy. City heads into the first leg in the middle of a disappointing campaign that has seen their Premier League title defense unravel. But Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti still believes his team will have to overcome one of the best in the world to advance to the round of 16.  Esports Olympics to debut in Saudi Arabia later than expected in 2027 “They are one of the best teams in Europe and they have the best manager (Pep Guardiola) out there. It’s a nightmare preparing for games against him because he always has ideas that make you think," Ancelotti said. “I am convinced the team that goes through from this tie will go on to win the competition.” Guardiola said he did not know what to expect from his team after a troubled season has left it in fifth place in the Premier League, 15 points behind leader Liverpool. “We’ve not been consistent, when what’s defined the team over the last decade has been we are an incredible machine every three days, otherwise we cannot win six Premier Leagues in seven years or win the incredible trophies we have won," he said. “Then I would feel, yes, the team is consistent, we can do it. Now it’s like, I don’t know."

The career of captain Sabina Khatun-led 18-rebelling women’s national footballers, who continued their boycott to train under English head coach Peter Butler, now under huge threat following the latest stand of Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF). As per latest BFF’s latest stand, the 18 women footballers who have been boycotting the national training camp since January 29 demanding the removal of their Head Coach Peter Butler, may miss out on renewed central contracts with the national football federation, currently under negotiation, apart from missing two FIFA international friendlies against the UAE, on February 26 and March 2. The BFF continues to back Butler, who himself has been happy working with half a squad, just 13 players, mostly the youngsters he kept faith in during last year’s successful defence of the SAFF title. It remains to be seen whether Butler also believes he can select a full squad with adequate experience at the highest level for the UAE tour, without the 18 who have set out their stall against him. BFF officials  were also expecting the negotiations over new central contracts to be sorted out before the tour. The last contracts with 30 players expired in October. However, the rebelling booters remain adamant about their demand, despite no indication that BFF may sympathise with their views. Eighteen leading women’s footballers, led by captain Sabina, at a press conference on January 29, revolted against their English coach, issuing a three-page statement addressed to BFF President Tabith Awal, after his contract was renewed for two years. They raised several allegations against Butler including mental harassment, repression, using abusive words, body shaming, misbehaving, continuous discrimination and unfair treatment. They alleged that most of the players are frustrated and scared to play under him. In such a situation, it is not possible for them to continue playing football with the coach Peter Butler, who signed fresh a two-year contract with the BFF as the head coach of the women’s national team last month. The women’s footballers also said that BFF will have to make a choice between the head coach and the footballers as most of the women’s footballers are going to retire together if the head coach stayed. The rift between the players and Butler started back in October 2024, during the SAFF Women’s Championship in Nepal, alleging the coach preferred young players over seniors. The problem for the footballers is that the desire to blood new, young talent can hardly be held as a negative against a coach. And Butler was able to lead the team to a successful defence of the SAFF title with his preference for selecting younger players. The BFF formed a seven-member probe committee on January 30, after the players announced they would boycott all sorts of footballing activities until the BFF terminated their Head Coach’s contract The special committee submitted its findings to the office of the BFF president  last Thursday, after interviewing players, coaches and officials for a week. Incidentally, Bnagladesh women’s football team won the prestigious Ekushey Padak, the second-highest civilian award in Bangladesh for winning the SAFF Championship on the same day. BFF President Tabith Awal, who returned home from the UK last Wednesday, held a meeting with the rebel footballers and the coach Peter Butler at the BFF House Thursday night after having the seven-member probe committee reports. The BFF boss assured the players that their complaints would be considered and encouraged them to join the training camp. He also advised the English coach to engage with the players in a gentle manner. The players stood firm to their decision and chose not to attend the training camp as per timeline on last Saturday. The 18 players may stay in the camp as they  are always welcome to join the camp and ball is in their court now, said a BFF official. However in a latest development from the ongoing camp on Monday, BFF signed contracts with 36 players for the national women's football teams, with negotiations still on to sign with a further 19 – it is understood the 18 rebels are among those who have not  yet signed.     

Pep Guardiola said there was no bad blood between Manchester City and Real Madrid after the Spanish giant boycotted last year's Ballon d’Or awards in apparent protest. Madrid did not attend the gala ceremony in Paris in October when City midfielder Rodri was voted the best player in the world ahead of Brazil and Madrid forward Vinicius Junior. Ahead of Tuesday's Champions League playoff between the rivals, Guardiola drew a line under the controversy. Hamza Chowdhury in BFF's 38-member pre-squad for AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers Asked if there were any hard feelings over Madrid's boycott, he said: "Absolutely not. “Vinicius make an extraordinary year as well (as Rodri). He deserves it. Like in the past when (Lionel) Messi and Cristiano (Ronaldo) was fighting for that. The subject is over.” City defender Ruben Dias also avoided heightening tensions ahead of the first leg at the Etihad Stadium. “Being very honest with you, I didn’t spend one second thinking about if it was disrespectful or not. I was happy with Rodri. I was there. I was, I celebrated with him that night," he said. The rivalry between City and Madrid has become one of the fiercest in the Champions League in recent years. This is the fourth season in a row that the two teams have gone head-to-head, with the winner on the last three occasions going on to lift the trophy. Mbappé and Álvarez score as Madrid derby ends in 1-1 draw Defending champion Madrid has added Kylian Mbappe to an already star-studded attack this season and the French World Cup winner has scored nine goals in his last eight games. Guardiola admitted it was unrealistic to expect City to be able to nullify Madrid's attacking threat, which also includes Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo and Endrick. “I think it’s impossible for 90 minutes, 180 minutes or 200 minutes — it depends on extra time — to control these four players,” he said. “They are exceptional.” Madrid and 2023 champion City are only meeting now because they made such hard work of the competition’s new-look format. City went into the final round of games in the 36-team league phase needing to win just to secure the lifeline of a playoff. Madrid finished 11th, with the top eight automatically advancing to the round of 16. “This season we struggled a lot,” Guardiola said. “Of course it would be good to continue for the club, for the prestige to win this competition.”

Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) today (Sunday) announced a 38-member preliminary squad of the Bangladesh National Football team to play in the AFC Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers including Bangladesh-origin Sheffield United’s midfielder Hamza Chowdhury. Fahmedul Islam, another Bangladesh-origin  Italians Club Olbia Calcio forward and former national skipper Jamal Bhuyan of Brothers Union, who did not played in this season also included in the preliminary squad while national coloured forward of Rahmatganj MFS Nabib Newas Jibon not considered in the squad this time. Bangladesh team will play their first qualifying round match of the Asian Cup against neighboring India on March 25. SAFF champions Bangladesh Women’s Football team selected for Ekushey Award 2025 National training camp is expected to begin here on February 28. Maximum 14 booters taken from the last season’s treble winning Bashundhara Kings, eight from Dhaka Abahani Limited, five from Dhaka Mohammedan SC. Selected booters are : Goalkeepers:  Mitul Marma (Abahani Ltd), Sujon Hossain, Shakib Al Hasan  (Mohammedan SC), Anisur Rahman Zico and Mehdi Hasan Srabon (Basundhara Kings).  Defenders:  Tariq Kazi, Topu Barman, Saad Uddin (Bashundhara Kings), Murad Hasan, Yeasin Khan, Shakil Hossain (Abahani Ltd), Mehdi Hasan, Shakil Ahad Topu, Jahid Hasan Shanto  (Mohammedan SC), Rahmat Mia, Sushanto Tripura  (Brothers Union),  Isa Faysal (Police FC) and Taj Uddin (Rahmatganj MFS),   Midfielders: M. Sohel Rana, Sohel Rana, Chandan Roy, Mujibar Rahman Jonny, Shekh Morsalin (Bashundhara Kings), Mohammad Hridoy, Papon Singh (Abahani Ltd), Syed Shah Quazem Kirmanee (Police FC), Jamal Bhuyan (Brothers Union),  and Hamza Chowhury (Sheffield United, England), Forwards : Foysal Ahmed Fahim, Rakib Hossain, Rabbi Hossen Rahul, Rafiqul Islam (Bashundhara Kings), Emon Shahriar, Mohammad Ibrahim (Abahani Ltd), Arif Hossain (Mohammedan SC), Al Amin (Police FC), Piash Ahmed Nova (Fortis FC) and Fahamedul Islam (Olbia Calcio, Italy).

Kylian Mbappé scored in his first capital derby against Atletico Madrid as Real Madrid fought back for a 1-1 draw and kept its slim lead of the Spanish league on Saturday. Next up for Mbappé and Madrid is a trip to Manchester City on Tuesday for the first leg of their Champions League knockout round playoff. Julián Álvarez put Atletico ahead from the penalty spot in the 35th minute. Mbappé equalized in the 50th for the hosts, which stayed one point ahead of Atletico in the standings. Jude Bellingham hit the crossbar with a header as Madrid searched for a second goal. Atletico goalkeeper Jan Olbak made saves to deny Rodrygo, Vinícius Júnior and Mbappé to split the points at the Santiago Bernabeu. “We knew how to hang in there and had our chances,” Álvarez said. “We are in the fight and will stay in it right to the end.” Atletico, which spent big last summer to acquire Álvarez and other reinforcements, is trying to add to league titles in 2021 and 2014 under coach Diego Simeone. Barcelona, in third place, is five points behind Madrid before visiting Sevilla on Sunday. Mbappé had missed the first Atletico derby of the season, a 1-1 draw in September, because of injury. First half to Atletico A spate of injuries left Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti relying on a makeshift backline of Lucas Vázquez, regular midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni, youth player Raul Asencio, and Fran García. A reckless stretch of his boot by Tchouaméni that ended up tripping Samuel Lino was spotted by a video review referee and sent Álvarez to the penalty spot. The former Man City striker gently stroked his penalty down the middle as Thibaut Courtois dived to his left. Antoine Griezmann showed again his great value to Atletico with precision passing even under duress. The French midfielder twice placed perfectly weighted balls that left Álvarez and Lino in good position to get off shots inside the area, but clumsy touches by both ruined the opportunities. Liverpool routs Tottenham 4-0 to set up English League Cup final against Newcastle “It is a draw that leaves both teams thinking they could have gotten a better result,” Simeone said. “We had some situations that we lacked the clarity we needed to resolve better.” Second half to Real Rodrygo sparked the Madrid comeback just after halftime when he dribbled past Javi Galan and Lino on the right side and slipped a ball to Bellingham in the heart of the box. Bellingham’s scuffed shot hit a defender and fell to Mbappé to rifle home for his first goal against Atletico. Mbappé had missed the first Atletico derby of the season, a 1-1 draw in September, because of injury. Madrid poured forward searching for a second goal with Atletico rattled. Vinícius dribbled down the left side and scooped the ball for Bellingham, who smashed a header off the woodwork. Simeone changed both his full backs with Reinildo and Nahuel Molina in the 63rd, but Oblak still had to come to Atletico’s rescue on three occasions. “It is going to be a tightly contested league until the very end,” Ancelotti said. Changes for Man City Ancelotti hinted that he will make changes to his starting 11 for City, most likely in midfield since he has few options in defense other than including Ferland Mendy, and will find it hard to touch his attack. That means that Dani Ceballos could likely make way for Eduardo Camavinga or Luka Modric. Spanish defender Sergio Ramos to resume his illustrious career in Mexico Former Madrid defender Marcelo was honored before kickoff after he announced his retirement this week. Sancet hat trick Oihan Sancet scored a hat trick to lead fourth-placed Athletic Bilbao’s 3-0 rout of Girona as the Basque club moved to within one point of Barcelona. Ernesto Valverde’s Athletic, which only fields players from or near the Basque Country region of northern Spain, hasn’t lost in 14 consecutive rounds, dating back to a defeat at Girona on Oct. 6. Antony scores but Celta wins Antony scored his first goal since joining Real Betis on loan from Manchester United, but Celta Vigo rallied from two goals down to earn a thrilling 3-2 comeback victory. Antony deftly curled in a shot from inside the box to put Betis ahead before Diego Llorente headed in a second goal in the 22nd. Betis twice hit the woodwork before Fran Beltran started Celta’s fightback with a powerful strike from outside the area in the 63rd. Javi Rodríguez scrambled in the equalizer before Williot Swedberg got the 87th-minute winner. Support for Kirian Alejandro Baena and Ayoze Pérez scored in Villarreal’s 2-1 win at Las Palmas. The teams stopped playing momentarily in the 20th minute to join the fans in applauding Kirian Rodríguez, who wears No. 20, in a show of support for the Las Palmas midfielder. Rodríguez announced this week that he will be stepping away from soccer for a second time to treat recurring cancer.

Liverpool will play Newcastle in the English League Cup final after routing Tottenham 4-0 on Thursday. A rampant performance overturned Spurs’ 1-0 lead from the first leg of the semifinal and sealed a 4-1 aggregate victory that keeps Arne Slot's team in contention for an unprecedented quadruple of trophies in his first season in charge. “We are in one final, but we have a lot to play for still,” said Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo, who opened the scoring in the first half at Anfield. "We have to stay calm and focus to reach as much as possible.” Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai and Virgil van Dijk all struck after the break in a one-sided semifinal second leg. Liverpool will play Newcastle in the final at Wembley Stadium on March 16 for the chance to retain the trophy it won last year. It could be just the first title in what is shaping up to be a special debut season for Slot after succeeding Jurgen Klopp last year. His team is top of the Premier League, into the round of 16 in the Champions League and also in the FA Cup. Such a humbling defeat for Tottenham, meanwhile, will likely lead to more speculation about the future of manager Ange Postecoglou, with his team languishing 14th in the league and having won just four of its last 13 games in all competitions. Neymar returns to Santos after 12 years For the first time under Postecoglou, Spurs failed to get a shot on target in a game, according to stats provider Opta. The League Cup had felt like a lifeline for the Australian and the chance to lift Spurs’ first trophy since it won the same competition in 2008. “We have given up a good opportunity tonight and we cannot shy away from that," Postecoglou said. “We were in a good position to get to the final. “Nobody needs to pick me up, I just need to pick up the players.” Tottenham was overwhelmed by a Liverpool team that is sweeping aside all-comers this term. Gakpo’s first-time finish with his right foot leveled the tie on aggregate in the 34th minute and Liverpool took complete control after the break. Salah fired a penalty high into the top corner in the 51st after Darwin Nunez was brought down by Spurs goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky in the box and Szoboszlai ended a slick Liverpool attack with a low finish in the 75th. Van Dijk headed in Liverpool’s fourth from a corner five minutes later. The League Cup proved to be Klopp’s final piece of silverware in a trophy-laden reign at Liverpool with victory against Chelsea in last year’s final. Then, as now, the Merseyside club was in contention for a quadruple, but ended up with just one trophy. Slot’s team looks better placed to win multiple titles — sitting six points clear in the league. “It's not normal to reach a final, we should always be aware of that,” Slot said. For Newcastle, the final marks another another chance to end its 70-year wait for a major domestic trophy. Its last trophy was the now-defunct Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1969 and the most recent domestic title was the FA Cup in 1955. Real Madrid's woes on defence compounded by new Alaba injury Despite being bought by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund in 2021, it is still waiting to end that trophy drought. But a 4-0 aggregate victory over Liverpool’s closest title rival Arsenal is evidence of the threat posed by Eddie Howe’s team in the final.

Eight months after his last competitive match, Spanish defender Sergio Ramos will resume his illustrious career on another continent. Ramos, who will turn 39 in March, will play for Monterrey of Liga MX in Mexico where he will have a chance to play in the next edition of the FIFA Club World Cup. The veteran, who won the World Cup in South Africa 2010, has not played an official match since May of last year when he was playing for Sevilla in the Spanish league. Monterrey, one of the most economically powerful clubs in Mexico, did not reveal the details of the agreement. Man United confirms cruciate ligament injury for Lisandro Martinez “We have been trying to sign him since last summer, but we did not come to terms and we tried again in this new window,” said Monterrey's team president Jose Antonio Noriega. “The team needs him, he has quality, enormous experience, enormous personality and he is an undisputed leader.” Monterrey, commonly known as Rayados, are one of three Mexican teams that will participate in the first edition of the expanded Club World Cup set to be played in the U.S. next summer. The other two are León and Pachuca. Ramos also won Euro 2012 with Spain and five Spanish League titles and four Champions League titles with Real Madrid, where he played for 16 seasons.

Bangladesh Women’s Football team, which brought unprecedented laurels for the country by winning two consecutive South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship titles, has been selected for the prestigious Ekushey Award 2025. Ministry of Cultural Affairs on Thursday (February 6) announced name of 14 individuals and one team (Women’s Football team) for the ensuing Ekushey award. Tamim Iqbal to be accorded formal farewell by BCB during BPL final This is the first time any sports team, men’s or women’s, has been selected for the award. Bangladesh Women’s Football team clinched their first-ever SAFF Women’s Championship crown in Kathmandi in 2022 and maintained their supremacy by winning the 2nd successive SAFF title with unbeaten record last year, also in their happy hunting ground in Kathmandu.

Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez has sustained a cruciate ligament injury, the club said on Thursday. The Argentina international was carried off on a stretcher in United's 2-0 loss to Crystal Palace in the Premier League last Sunday. “Assessment of the injury is ongoing to determine the appropriate course of treatment and the timescale for his rehabilitation,” United said. Neymar returns to Santos after 12 years “Everyone at Manchester United wishes Lisandro Martinez strength for a successful recovery and we will be supporting him every step of the way.”