United News of Bangladesh

Barcelona kicked off the defense of their La Liga crown with a 3-0 victory at Mallorca on Saturday, capitalizing on two first-half red cards for the hosts. Raphinha and Lamine Yamal combined in the seventh minute to open the scoring, with Yamal’s curling cross met by a close-range header from the Brazilian forward. Ferran Torres doubled the lead in the 23rd minute with a long-range strike that sparked protests from Mallorca players, who argued play should have been stopped after teammate Antonio Raíllo was struck in the head during the buildup. “The ball hit my head and I got dizzy. I tried to get up and I couldn't. The referee should have stopped the game,” Raíllo said. Barcelona coach Hansi Flick acknowledged Mallorca’s frustration but stressed that players must continue until the referee halts play. Mallorca’s problems deepened when Manu Morlanes was sent off in the 33rd minute for a second yellow after fouling Yamal, before Vedat Muriqi received a red card in the 39th following a VAR review for a dangerous high boot on Barcelona goalkeeper Joan García. Messi scores, assists as Inter Miami beat LA Galaxy 3-1 Yamal sealed the result in stoppage time with a superb strike into the top corner. Barcelona played without Robert Lewandowski, sidelined by injury, while new signing Marcus Rashford made his debut as a second-half substitute. García, signed from Espanyol, started in goal with Marc-André ter Stegen recovering from back surgery. Young defender Jofre Torrents also debuted. Elsewhere, Valencia were held 1-1 at home by Real Sociedad after Diego López’s opener was canceled out by Takefusa Kubo. Alaves edged Levante 2-1 with a stoppage-time goal from Nahuel Tenaglia. On Friday, Rayo Vallecano defeated Girona 3-1 and Villarreal beat promoted Oviedo 2-0. Atletico Madrid visit Espanyol on Sunday, while Real Madrid host Osasuna on Tuesday. Source: Agency 

Lionel Messi returned from injury to inspire Inter Miami to a 3-1 win over LA Galaxy on Saturday night, scoring the decisive goal and setting up another in the closing minutes. The Argentine star, who had missed the last two games with a right hamstring injury sustained in a Leagues Cup match against Necaxa on Aug. 2, started on the bench and entered at the beginning of the second half. Messi broke the 1-1 deadlock in the 84th minute with a trademark left-footed strike from distance after weaving past defenders. Moments later, he delivered a clever back heel assist to Luis Suárez, sealing the victory. It marked Messi’s 19th goal of the season — the highest in MLS — and a crucial result for Inter Miami, which climbed to fourth place in the Eastern Conference after slipping to sixth following a 4-1 loss at Orlando last week. Jordi Alba had opened the scoring for Miami late in the first half, converting a through ball from Sergio Busquets. Joseph Paintsil equalized for the Galaxy in the 59th minute. Semenyo appreciates football community’s support after alleged Anfield abuse Head coach Javier Mascherano said Messi will be evaluated Sunday to check on his hamstring and overall fitness, noting that while the forward occasionally stretched his right leg during the match, he finished strongly. “The important thing is that he finished the match,” Mascherano said through an interpreter, adding that Messi looked more comfortable as the game progressed. The defending MLS Cup champions Galaxy remain at the bottom of the Western Conference standings. Source: Agency 

Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo expressed gratitude to his teammates, Liverpool players, and the broader football community for the “overwhelming messages of support” after reporting racial abuse by a fan during the Premier League season opener at Anfield. Police launched a hate crime investigation after a 47-year-old fan was ejected from Liverpool’s stadium for allegedly racially abusing Semenyo, who is Black, during Friday’s match. “Last night at Anfield will stay with me forever — not because of one person’s words, but because of how the entire football family stood together,” Semenyo wrote on social media Saturday. “The overwhelming messages of support from across the football world remind me why I love this sport. We keep moving forward, together.” The incident occurred in the first half with the score at 0-0, when Semenyo reported the abuse to referee Anthony Taylor, prompting a brief stoppage while Taylor consulted both coaches and team captains. “To my teammates who supported me, to the Liverpool players and fans who showed their true character, to the Premier League officials who handled it professionally — thank you,” Semenyo added. “Football showed its best side when it mattered most.” The 25-year-old Ghana international scored both of Bournemouth’s goals in the 4-2 loss. “Scoring those two goals felt like speaking the only language that truly matters on the pitch,” he wrote. “This is why I play — for moments like these, for my teammates, for everyone who believes in what this beautiful game can be.” Police investigate hate crime after Semenyo reportedly racially abused at Liverpool match Merseyside Police confirmed the fan’s identity and removal from the stadium. “We will not tolerate hate crime of any form,” said Chief Inspector Kev Chatterton. “We take incidents like this very seriously and will proactively seek football banning orders, with the club, against those responsible.” Following the game, Semenyo also reported further racial abuse received online. Bournemouth players consoled him, and an anti-discrimination message was read to the crowd at halftime. The Premier League said it would investigate the incident and provide full support to the player and both clubs. Liverpool stated it condemns “racism and discrimination in all forms” and will cooperate fully with the ongoing police investigation.   Source: Agency

Newcastle United were held to a 0-0 draw by 10-man Aston Villa in their Premier League season opener on Saturday, struggling in the absence of star striker Alexander Isak. Isak, who is seeking a move to defending champions Liverpool, was left out of the squad. New signing Anthony Elanga provided flashes of danger down the right wing, but Newcastle failed to capitalize on their possession. Villa played the final 24 minutes with 10 men after defender Ezri Konsa was sent off for pulling back Anthony Gordon as he broke clear on goal. Elsewhere on Saturday, Manchester City visited Wolverhampton in the late fixture, while earlier matches featured Brighton vs. Fulham, Sunderland vs. West Ham, and Tottenham vs. Burnley. Burnley, Sunderland, and Leeds returned to the top flight this season. Europa League winners Tottenham entered their opener after a midweek defeat to Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Super Cup. Isak to sit out Premier League opener for Newcastle as future remains uncertain A minute’s silence was observed at Villa Park before kickoff in memory of former Liverpool and Wolves forward Diogo Jota. Similar tributes are being held at all Premier League matches this weekend. Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, died in a car crash in Spain last month. On Friday, Liverpool players and fans paid tributes at Anfield ahead of their 4-2 victory over Bournemouth, a match overshadowed by alleged racial abuse aimed at Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo. Semenyo on Saturday thanked the football community for the support he received.   Source: Agency

Cristiano Ronaldo will travel to India to play against FC Goa in an Asian Champions League Two match, a fixture being hailed as “historic” for Indian football. The draw on Friday placed Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr, featuring Ronaldo, Sadio Mane, and Joao Felix, in Group D alongside FC Goa, Tajikistan’s Istiklol, and Iraq’s Al-Zawraa. The top two teams from each group advance to the second round. “This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime moment for FC Goa,” club CEO Ravi Puskur told The Associated Press. “Hosting Al-Nassr and Cristiano Ronaldo is arguably the biggest game in Indian club football history.” Ronaldo, 40, has yet to win a major trophy with Al-Nassr since joining the Riyadh club in 2022. The team is expected to be at full strength when the match begins in September. Puskur said the game offers Indian football a historic opportunity. “We are here on merit, and a match like this allows us to show that we can compete on the continental stage, becoming part of the sport’s biggest narratives,” he said. He added that the fixture could boost Indian football nationwide. “It’s a unique chance to bring global attention to Indian football and spark greater interest among fans, giving the game the spotlight it has long needed,” Puskur said. Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates as Georgina Rodríguez announces their engagement The draw comes amid a domestic crisis. The 2025-26 Indian Super League season, due to start in September, has been suspended over disputes regarding the renewal of the organizing agreement between the Indian federation and its commercial partner, pending a Supreme Court order. Clubs including Bengaluru FC, Odisha FC, and Chennaiyin FC have suspended salaries or halted operations until the matter is resolved. “While the financial boost is important, the bigger picture is the opportunity this creates for long-term growth,” said Puskur. “The global attention, sponsorship interest, and fan engagement from a moment like this will strengthen the club’s foundations and allow us to invest in the future.”   Source: Agency

Police have launched a hate crime investigation after a 47-year-old fan was ejected from Liverpool’s Anfield Stadium for allegedly racially abusing Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo during Friday’s Premier League season opener. The incident occurred in the first half when Semenyo, who is Black, reported the abuse to referee Anthony Taylor with the score at 0-0. Play was briefly stopped while Taylor consulted with coaches and team captains. “Merseyside Police will not tolerate hate crime of any form,” said Chief Inspector Kev Chatterton, match commander. The fan’s identity was confirmed, and he was removed from the stadium. Chatterton added that authorities would seek football banning orders against those responsible. Semenyo, who scored both of Bournemouth’s goals in the 4-2 loss, later shared further racial abuse he received online, writing on Instagram, “When will it stop.” Bournemouth rule out Kluivert, Christie for Premier League opener at Liverpool Bournemouth players consoled Semenyo, and an anti-discrimination message was read to the crowd at halftime. The Premier League said it would investigate the matter and offer full support to the player and both clubs.   Liverpool FC said it condemned “racism and discrimination in all forms” and pledged full cooperation with the ongoing police investigation.   Source: Agency

England striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin has signed with newly promoted Premier League side Leeds United after leaving Everton at the end of last season. The 28-year-old forward joined on a free transfer and agreed to a three-year deal, Leeds confirmed Friday. “I feel like a kid again, starting somewhere new, and I can’t wait to play and represent this football club,” Calvert-Lewin told Leeds’ media. AC Milan signs Young Boys defender Athekame as second Swiss recruit this month Calvert-Lewin netted 57 Premier League goals during his nine-year spell at Everton but managed only three in 26 appearances last season. He has been capped four times for England, last featuring in 2021. Leeds begin their Premier League campaign at home against Everton on Monday.

Grammy-winning rapper, actor, and author LL Cool J will host the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards solo, returning to the stage without 2022 co-hosts Nicki Minaj and Jack Harlow, the VMAs announced Thursday. LL Cool J is also nominated for best hip hop for his single “Murdergram Deux” featuring Eminem, from his latest album “THE FORCE,” released in September—his first album in 11 years. He has a long history with the VMAs, winning his first Moon Person in 1991, becoming the first rapper to receive the Video Vanguard Award in 1997, and performing in tributes for hip-hop’s 50th anniversary and Def Jam Records’ 40th anniversary. The 2025 VMAs will air live from the UBS Arena in Long Island, New York, on Sept. 7 at 8 p.m. Eastern. CBS will broadcast the show for the first time, with a simulcast on MTV and streaming available on Paramount+. Lady Gaga Tops 2025 MTV VMA Nominations; Bruno Mars, Kendrick Lamar Close Behind Lady Gaga leads this year’s nominations with 12 nods, including artist of the year, followed by Bruno Mars with 11. Other top nominees include Kendrick Lamar (10), ROSÉ and Sabrina Carpenter (8 each), Ariana Grande and The Weeknd (7 each), and Billie Eilish (6). Fan voting is open now at the VMAs website, closing Sept. 5 at 6 p.m. Eastern, except for best new artist, which allows votes until the live show. Performers, presenters, special guests, and the 2025 Video Vanguard Award recipient have yet to be announced.   Source: Agency

AC Milan on Friday signed Swiss defender Zachary Athekame on a five-year deal as the club aims to return to the Champions League. The 20-year-old former Young Boys right-back reportedly joined for a transfer fee of 10 million euros ($11.7 million). Luka Modric joins AC Milan after 13 years at Real Madrid Athekame, a Switzerland Under-21 international, joins days after midfielder Ardon Jashari moved from Club Brugge for a reported 36 million euros ($42 million). Milan finished eighth in Serie A last season, missing out on European competition. Athekame featured in all eight of Young Boys’ Champions League matches last season, with the Swiss side losing all games to finish last in the 36-team standings. Milan had been eliminated in the knockout playoffs by Feyenoord. The defender, who was released by his hometown club Servette as a teenager, played in the Swiss second division with Neuchatel Xamax just 15 months ago.   Source: Agency

Swedish forward Fridolina Rolfö completed her move to Manchester United on Friday, ending a four-year spell at Barcelona. The 31-year-old signed a contract with United until June 2027. Rolfö, primarily a left-winger, made her 100th appearance for Sweden at last month’s European Championship and has scored 33 international goals. She previously played for Wolfsburg and Bayern Munich and won two Champions League titles with Barcelona, scoring the decisive goal in one of the finals. Manchester United targets Mbeumo as Amorim rebuilds attack after Cunha deal Manchester United finished third in last season’s Women’s Super League and will compete in the Champions League. “The WSL is probably the strongest league in the world right now,” Rolfö said. “That was a big part of the appeal of coming here, along with the chance to help the team establish itself in the Champions League.”   Source: Agency