United News of Bangladesh

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.  

Cristiano Ronaldo has rested and now is returning his attention to winning his first major trophy in Saudi Arabia. Despite breaking the Saudi Pro League’s scoring record last season with 35 goals and leading the standings in this campaign, the 40-year-old Ronaldo is yet to collect any silverware since signing for Al-Nassr in December 2022. On Saturday, he’ll be leading Al-Nassr against Japan-based Yokohama F.Marinos in the Asian Champions League Elite quarterfinals. The Riyadh club, still yet to win a continental championship, is expected to progress to the last four, particularly after Ronaldo was rested this week for Al-Nassr's domestic league win over Damac. Even without the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, coach Stefano Pioli has a star-studded roster at his disposal. It includes Jhon Duran, signed from Aston Villa in January for over $100 million, former Liverpool star Sadio Mane and Spanish international defender Aymeric Laporte. Al-Nassr also has home advantage, as all playoff games are taking place in Jeddah along the Red Sea coast. Barcelona takes a commanding 4-1 lead over Chelsea in Women's Champions League semifinals series “We're now fully focused on Asia,” Pioli said Tuesday. “We have been working hard to prepare for it and I'm satisfied with the performance of the players.” Yokohama was a beaten finalist last season but is struggling in last place in Japan's domestic league after collecting just two points from the last seven games. The club last week fired Steve Holland, a former England national team assistant to Gareth Southgate, after just four months as coach. “To fill the void,” the club said in a statement, Australian "Patrick Kisnorbo will serve as an interim manager for the time being.” Nassr’s Riyadh rival Al-Hilal has won a record four Asian titles and plays Friday against Gwangju FC, a South Korean club making its first appearance in the tournament. Hilal was the best performer in the ACL group stage and, as it is unlikely to catch Al-Ittihad at the top of the Saudi Pro League, is focused on its bid for a fifth continental championship. “The Asian Champions League is a personal dream for me, as I have not yet achieved it with the team,” Hilal coach Jorge Jesus said. “It is also a dream for the fans and the club president, and we will continue to play to win every match.” Al-Ahli is the third contender from Saudi, and the two-time finalist is determined to lift the trophy in its home stadium in Jeddah on May 3. First, though, it must win a quarterfinal against Thai powerhouse Buriram United. Manchester United sets another unwanted Premier League record The only one of the four ties not to feature a Saudi club takes place on Sunday when two-time champion Al-Sadd of Qatar takes on Kawasaki Frontale, a Japanese club looking for a first title.

The final match of the 10-team Bashundhara Group Federation Cup Football 2024–25 between defending champions Bashundhara Kings and 12-time winners Dhaka Abahani Ltd was postponed in the dying moments due to poor lighting at the Rafiq Uddin Bhuiyan Stadium in Mymensingh on Tuesday afternoon. The title-deciding clash between the two arch-rivals was initially halted 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. At the time of postponement, the match was locked at 1-1, with both goals coming early in the first half. 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). Abahani gained momentum after the equalizer and dominated much of the first half but failed to convert their chances into goals. Following the resumption of play after the weather break, Bashundhara Kings took partial control of the game. Despite the poor pitch conditions, both teams battled hard through the regulation 90 minutes and the first 15-minute extra-time session. 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. The match will be rescheduled, with the new date and time to be announced by the Bangladesh

Two powerhouses in the country's football defending champions Bashundhara Kings and 12th times champions Dhaka Abahani Limited will lock horns in the grand final of the 10-team Bashundhara Group  Federation Cup Football' 2024-25 on Tuesday. The title deciding match between two arch-rivals will kick off at 2:45 pm at the Rafiq Uddin Bhuiyan Stadium in Mymensingh. The sky- blue Dhanmondi outfit Dhaka Abahani Ltd, having 10-man, reached final beating Bashundhara Kings by 4-2 goals in penalty shootout in the first qualifier while Bashundhara Kings,coming from behind, booked a seat for the final eliminating Rahmatganj MFS by 2-1 goals in the extra time of the 2nd qualifier last Tuesday..  

Barcelona shrugged off an early setback to seize control of their Women’s Champions League semifinal against Chelsea on Sunday, cruising to a 4-1 victory. The match got off to a shaky start for the Spanish giants when captain Alexia Putellas saw her 12th-minute penalty saved by Chelsea goalkeeper Hannah Hampton. But Barcelona quickly regrouped and put on an attacking clinic. Claudia Pina, coming off the bench, made a huge impact with two goals, while Ewa Pajor and Irene Paredes each added one to complete the comeback and give Barça a commanding advantage heading into the second leg. Sandy Baltimore scored for Chelsea. Manchester United sets another unwanted Premier League record “No winning scoreline is enough,” Barcelona coach Pere Romeu said. “There’s huge evidence in soccer that you can’t ever rely on a first-leg lead. We are going to have a beautiful battle over there at Stamford Bridge.” Chelsea will host the return semifinal leg next Sunday and the winner on aggregate will advance to the final in Lisbon next month. It was the eighth straight win for defending champion Barcelona in the European women's competition. It has scored 40 goals across those eight consecutive wins since losing 2-0 to Manchester City. Barcelona and Chelsea are meeting in the last four for the third consecutive season. Barcelona has advanced each time. “I still believe in my team and my players, 100%,” Chelsea coach Sonia Bompastor said. "It’ll be difficult, but the main goal is to score early in the return leg. In football everything is possible, so let’s try to win the game and, if we score early, maybe we can put Barcelona under pressure.” Pajor opened the scoring in the 35th and Pina added to the lead in the 70th, not long after entering the match. Baltimore pulled the visitors closer four minutes later, but Paredes gave Barcelona a two-goal lead again in the 82nd. Pina added a fourth in the 90th at the Johan Cruyff stadium. “When I’m on the bench, we’ve already spent a whole week analyzing a rival like Chelsea," Pina said. "You have lots of ideas in your head. When the game goes on, you progress those ideas and look at where your teammates are already creating gaps in the opponents’ defense.” In the other semifinal series, Lyon weathered a second-half rally by Arsenal to claim a 2-1 away win on Saturday, putting the record eight-time champions on course for another Women's Champions League title match.    

Manchester United set another unwanted club record on Sunday after losing 1-0 to Wolverhampton. A 15th league loss of the season is the most United has suffered in any single campaign in the Premier League era and emphasizes the club's ongoing decline. United has dominated England's top flight since the inception of the Premier League in 1992 — winning 13 titles. But it has not been crowned champion since 2013 when former manager Alex Ferguson retired. Last season it set a new high for league losses with 14 defeats. With five rounds still to go, Ruben Amorim's team has already gone past that benchmark. “We need to fight for wins, score goals and try to get more points,” Amorim said. "This season is going to end like this. We need to take the positives, try to work on the things we need to improve. “We have to work and try to be better in the first game of next season.” Amorim said in January that this might be the worst team in the club's history and the lows have kept on coming. A 15th league loss is the most for any United team since the 1989-90 campaign when it was defeated 16 times in England’s old Division One. AHF Cup Hockey: Bangladesh earn 2nd consecutive victory beating hosts Indonesia 3-2 Premier League statistician Opta said an eighth home defeat in the league was the most since United was beaten nine times in 1962-63. Worst points total in Premier League United is already certain to set the club’s worst-ever points total in the Premier League. The latest loss left it on 38 points. United’s lowest total was 58 in the 2021-22 season. Even a perfect finish would only see United amass 53 this term. The record 20-time English champion is also on course to record its lowest league finish in the Premier League. The previous low was set by Erik ten Hag's team last season when finishing eighth in the standings - the club's worst final position in 34 years. United is currently 14th and 11 points behind eighth-placed Bournemouth. Silver lining But Amorim could still end the campaign on a successful note by winning the Europa League. United staged a dramatic fightback to beat Lyon 5-4 on Thursday and advance to the semifinals of Europe's second tier competition. United plays Athletic Bilbao in the next round. The Europa League winner also qualifies for next season's Champions League.