United News of Bangladesh

Alexander Isak has publicly addressed his discontent at Newcastle United, saying the club broke promises and that “the relationship can't continue.” The Sweden striker, who scored 27 goals in 42 games last season, has been training separately from the Newcastle squad after expressing a desire to explore his options. He was not involved in the club’s Premier League opener, a goalless draw at Aston Villa on Saturday. On Tuesday, after being named in the PFA Premier League Team of the Season, the 25-year-old used a social media post to outline his grievances. “I’ve kept quiet for a long time while others have spoken,” Isak wrote. “The reality is that promises were made and the club has known my position for a long time. When promises are broken and trust is lost, the relationship can’t continue.” He added that a change would be in the best interests of all parties. Newcastle responded, emphasizing that Isak remains under contract and that no official commitment had been made allowing him to leave this summer. “We want to keep our best players, but we also understand players have their own wishes,” the club said. “Alex remains part of our family and will be welcomed back when he is ready.” Isak to sit out Premier League opener for Newcastle as future remains uncertain Isak joined Newcastle in 2022 from Real Sociedad and has become one of the Premier League’s most sought-after strikers. He scored 23 league goals last season, second only to Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah. Manager Eddie Howe said last week there remains a chance for Isak to rejoin the squad despite the current challenges. Newcastle has been linked with Brentford striker Yoane Wissa, who also missed the opening weekend matches.   Source: Agency

Bayern Munich, the defending Bundesliga champion, looks set to remain the team to beat as the new season kicks off Friday against RB Leipzig. Vincent Kompany and Harry Kane’s sides are preparing to challenge for the top spot, but the race for the nearest contender remains wide open. Several potential challengers — including Bayer Leverkusen, Borussia Dortmund, Stuttgart, Leipzig, and Eintracht Frankfurt — have lost key players over the summer, and few have made headline-grabbing signings. Leverkusen, the only team to interrupt Bayern’s 13-year dominance, has undergone a major overhaul following its 2024 title-winning campaign. Star players Florian Wirtz, Granit Xhaka, Jeremie Frimpong, captain Jonathan Tah, and coach Xabi Alonso have all departed. Former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has been brought in to lead the revamped squad. PSG Overcomes Bayern in Dramatic Club World Cup Quarterfinal Amid Musiala’s Heartbreaking Injury Bayern’s summer arrivals, particularly Luis Díaz from Liverpool, add fresh attacking options. Díaz scored on his debut as Bayern lifted the German Supercup last weekend. With the departures of Leroy Sané, Thomas Müller, Kingsley Coman, and Mathys Tel, Kane’s supporting cast has been reshaped, placing added responsibility on Díaz and Serge Gnabry — the last forward from Bayern’s 2020 Champions League-winning team. Michael Olise is expected to take on a central role in the absence of Jamal Musiala, sidelined until 2026 due to injury. Defender Jonathan Tah also strengthens Bayern’s backline, while young midfielders Tom Bischof and Lennart Karl impressed in preseason. At Dortmund, 19-year-old Jobe Bellingham has made an immediate impact, following in the footsteps of his older brother Jude. Other challengers have had to adjust after losing key players, including Frankfurt, Leverkusen, and Leipzig. Leipzig has invested over €110 million ($128 million) in seven young signings but lost Benjamin Šeško to Manchester United. More transfers are expected before the Sept. 1 deadline. Promoted sides Hamburger SV and Cologne face the primary challenge of remaining in the top division. Cologne has appointed Lukas Kwasniok to ensure survival, while Hamburg, returning after seven seasons, begins its campaign at Borussia Mönchengladbach on Sunday.   Source: Agency

As German soccer investigates two incidents in which players were allegedly subjected to racist abuse by fans in the stadium, more players have faced abusive messages online. The day after its 1-0 win in a German Cup game against Dynamo Dresden, Mainz said Tuesday it plans to support its players in taking legal action against users who sent abusive messages. Gianni Infantino calls racism at German Cup ‘unacceptable’ The club published screenshots of a racist message targeting French winger Arnaud Nordin, who is Black, and one containing sexist and xenophobic insults aimed at the mother of German midfielder Nadiem Amiri, who is of Afghan heritage. There are “no more words for people like this,” Amiri, who scored the game's only goal, wrote over a screenshot of the message. “There is no place among us for racism, agitation and hate on the Internet, in the stadium, or anywhere else,” Mainz wrote. In another incident, Rot-Weiss Essen disabled the comment section on an Instagram post about its 1-0 loss Monday to Borussia Dortmund, reportedly following repeated racist messages aimed at its player Kelsey Owusu, following a tackle which left Dortmund's Yan Couto hurt. “I find it so despicable, some of the comments which are directed at people,” his coach Uwe Koschinat said after the game. The German soccer federation said Monday it was investigating two incidents in which players were allegedly subjected to racist abuse by people in the stadium during other German Cup games. FIFA President Gianni Infantino condemned the incidents as “unacceptable”. Police were investigating at least one of the incidents.   Source: Agency

Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso has praised teenage signing Franco Mastantuono for his maturity while playing down the Argentine’s choice of Lionel Messi as the world’s best player. The 18-year-old midfielder recently signed a six-year contract with Madrid and, during his unveiling last week, said he considered compatriot Messi the greatest player. “It’s only natural Messi is his idol,” Alonso told reporters on Monday. “He’s Argentine and left-footed, so it doesn’t surprise me.” Mastantuono’s remarks, which referenced a Barcelona legend and long-time rival of Madrid, drew headlines in Spain and left some Madrid fans displeased. For over a decade, Messi battled Cristiano Ronaldo, who is regarded by many as Madrid’s all-time great, during the iconic La Liga rivalry. Ronaldo now plays for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, while Messi is with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer. Madrid secured Mastantuono from River Plate after he turned 18, reportedly paying €45 million ($52.5 million) for the transfer. Napoli forward Lukaku may undergo surgery following thigh injury Alonso said he was impressed by the youngster’s personality early on. “When I first spoke to him at 17, he was confident and unfazed by the prospect of joining Real Madrid. His maturity has stood out since day one. I’m convinced he’ll adapt quickly on and off the pitch.” The coach hinted Mastantuono may feature in Madrid’s La Liga opener against Osasuna on Tuesday. “He’ll give us quality and energy, with a strong defensive drive,” Alonso said. “He has that Argentine warrior spirit combined with great technique and a superb left foot, whether from set-pieces or the final pass. He’s young, but already performing at a solid level. Our job is to guide him.” Source: Agency 

Napoli striker Romelu Lukaku could require surgery after suffering a left thigh injury during a preseason friendly, the Italian champions said Monday. The Belgium international was substituted in Thursday’s 2-1 win over Olympiacos. Tests revealed a “high-grade” thigh muscle injury in his left leg. Napoli added that Lukaku has started a rehabilitation program and will also undergo a surgical consultation. Lukaku scores 2 as Inter beats Genoa 4-0 to share lead The club did not specify how long the striker might be sidelined. Napoli begins its Serie A title defense against Sassuolo on Saturday. Belgium will also monitor the injury closely ahead of World Cup qualifiers in September, October, and November.   Source: Agency

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has called two alleged incidents of racist abuse during German Cup games “unacceptable,” as local police investigate. The remarks followed Schalke’s Christopher Antwi-Adjei reporting racist abuse by fans during a match at Lokomotive Leipzig, where he was whistled throughout the game. In a separate incident, a Kaiserslautern substitute was allegedly racially abused while warming up in a game at RSV Eintracht, according to the team’s coach. Both incidents occurred in first-round matches hosted by lower-league clubs from former East Germany. FIFA president hints Ronaldo could join Club World Cup “It is unacceptable that incidents have occurred at two DFB-Pokal matches in Germany. Football has no place for racism or any form of discrimination,” Infantino said on social media. He added that FIFA’s Players’ Voice Panel would remain in contact with the German football federation. Antwi-Adjei has filed a police complaint, while at RSV Eintracht, fans and security quickly identified the alleged offender, prompting chants of “Nazis out” from both sets of supporters. The incidents follow Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo reporting racist abuse during a match at Liverpool, leading to the brief stoppage of the game and the arrest of a 47-year-old man from Liverpool on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offense. FIFA has said its Players’ Voice Panel will also contact Semenyo.   Source: Agency

Sébastien Haller’s turbulent three-year spell at Borussia Dortmund came to an end Monday as the Ivorian striker sealed a move to Dutch side Utrecht. Haller’s time in Germany began in 2022 with a shock cancer diagnosis before he had played a single game. Following two surgeries and chemotherapy, he returned six months later, scoring nine Bundesliga goals in the second half of the 2022-23 season as Dortmund narrowly missed out on the league title. Dortmund edge past Mamelodi Sundowns 4-3 in Club World Cup heat battle He also reached last season’s Champions League final with the German club, coming on as a substitute in the 2-0 defeat to Real Madrid. In the same period, he lifted the African Cup of Nations with Ivory Coast. Despite those highs, injuries and loss of form left Haller sidelined, and he spent last season on loan — first at Spain’s Leganés and then at Utrecht, where he netted six goals in 18 appearances to help them secure fourth place in the Dutch league. Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl praised Haller, saying, “He has written a special story here.” The 30-year-old striker has now signed a one-year deal with Utrecht, returning to the club where a decade ago his prolific scoring first put him on the European stage.   Source: Agency

Santos dismissed head coach Cleber Xavier on Sunday following a crushing 6-0 home defeat to Vasco da Gama, a loss that left Neymar in tears at full time. In a statement, the club thanked Xavier, who had been in charge since April, for his service and wished him success in his future career. The heavy defeat dropped Santos to 15th in Brazil’s 20-team top division, sitting only two points clear of the relegation zone. Vasco’s Philippe Coutinho scored twice in the match. Neymar signs contract extension with Santos through 2025 Neymar, 33, was comforted by staff after the loss. The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain forward returned to his boyhood club in January after a short stint in Saudi Arabia, signing an extension in June that keeps him at Santos until the year’s end.   Source: Agency

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim voiced frustration after Arsenal’s decisive goal in a 1-0 Premier League win at Old Trafford on Sunday, insisting it should have been ruled out for a “clear” foul. The only goal came in the 13th minute when Declan Rice’s corner swung into the box. Arsenal defender William Saliba leaned into United goalkeeper Altay Bayındır, who failed to clear and knocked the ball into the path of Riccardo Calafiori for a close-range finish. “I think it’s clear,” Amorim said. “Players are making contact with the goalkeeper without attempting to play the ball. That should not be allowed.” Messi scores, assists as Inter Miami beat LA Galaxy 3-1 He added that referees seem to be favoring attacking players: “When you are touching the goalkeeper like that, it’s difficult.” United captain Bruno Fernandes also recalled that referees had promised stricter calls on blocking at set pieces this season. “Altay said he was touched when he went for the punch, but in the Premier League these moments rarely go our way,” he said. Source: Agency 

AC Milan began their season with a 2-0 victory over Serie B side Bari in the Italian Cup on Sunday, though the win was marred by an apparent injury to Portugal winger Rafael Leão. Leão headed in the opener but appeared to hurt his right calf while celebrating and was forced off. His replacement, Santiago Gimenez, later set up Christian Pulisic, who added the second early in the second half at the San Siro. The American had earlier struck the crossbar. Veteran midfielder Luka Modric made his Milan debut in the 66th minute. The 39-year-old Ballon d’Or winner joined the club last month after 13 years with Real Madrid. Coach Massimiliano Allegri, back at Milan nearly 15 years after guiding them to the Serie A title, was absent as he began a two-match suspension stemming from a referee outburst in last season’s Cup final while managing Juventus — a controversy that led to his dismissal. Raphinha, Yamal strike as Barcelona cruise past nine-man Mallorca in La Liga opener Milan, normally among the top eight seeds exempted from early Cup rounds, had to play from the start this season after finishing eighth in Serie A and losing the Cup final to Bologna. They will next meet Lecce in late September. Elsewhere, Empoli, Sassuolo, Genoa, Venezia, Como, Cagliari, Pisa, Palermo, Frosinone and Parma also advanced. Serie A kicks off next weekend, with Milan hosting newly promoted Cremonese on Saturday. Leão’s availability remains uncertain.