United News of Bangladesh

The entire executive committee of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) resigned on Wednesday following a controversy over the naturalisation of seven foreign-born players that resulted in FIFA sanctions, a legal appeal and heightened scrutiny of football governance in the country. All members of the committee, who were elected 11 months ago for the 2025–2029 term, stepped down with immediate effect. The association said the decision was unanimous and voluntary, taken to safeguard FAM’s credibility. The collective resignation came after FIFA, in September last year, imposed a fine of around $450,000 on FAM and handed one-year suspensions to the seven players after concluding that falsified documents had been submitted to support their naturalisation. The players Facundo Garcés, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, João Figueiredo, Gabriel Palmero, Jon Irazabal and Héctor Hevel were also fined individually. The players, who hail from Argentina, Brazil, the Netherlands and Spain, had represented Malaysia in international matches, including a qualifying game for the 2027 Asian Cup in which Malaysia defeated Vietnam. Read More: Mbappé brace lifts Real Madrid to La Liga top with 2-0 win at Villarreal Malaysian officials had said the seven players met FIFA eligibility rules through Malaysian-born grandparents but FIFA said investigators obtained original documents from the players’ home countries that disputed those claims. In a statement on Wednesday, FAM said the executive committee, elected for a four-year 2025–2029 term, resigned after 11 months to place the interests of Malaysian football above office-holding. The move aimed to protect the association’s reputation and limit further repercussions, while allowing FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation to review governance and procedures without conflicts of interest. FAM said the decision was meant to restore confidence among stakeholders. Acting president Mohamad Yusoff Mahadi said secretary-general Noor Azman Rahman will oversee daily operations. FIFA’s ban on the players has been temporarily suspended pending an appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Bayern Munich have opened discussions with England captain Harry Kane over a possible extension of his contract, the club’s sporting director Max Eberl said on Tuesday. Kane, 32, joined the German champions from Tottenham Hotspur in August 2023 on a four-year deal reportedly worth an initial 100 million euros. Since arriving in Munich, the striker has been in prolific form, scoring 119 goals and providing 30 assists in 126 appearances across all competitions. He won the first major trophy of his career last season after playing a key role in Bayern’s 2024–25 Bundesliga title triumph. “We are talking to Harry,” Eberl said on the sidelines of a Bundesliga event in Frankfurt. “At some point a decision has to be made.” Kane has previously indicated he would consider staying at Bayern, saying last October that his desire to return to the Premier League had diminished. This season, he has scored 34 goals in 30 matches for Vincent Kompany’s side, including 21 goals in 19 Bundesliga games, as he chases Robert Lewandowski’s record of 41 goals in a single league campaign. The England forward has also helped Bayern secure second place in their Champions League group with one match remaining. Bayern chief executive Jan-Christian Dreesen said Kane feels settled in Munich and that there is no urgency to rush negotiations. “Harry has great confidence in the club and feels comfortable here,” Dreesen said. “He and his family are settled, so there is no pressure to make a quick decision.”   With inputs from BBC

Emiliano Martinez appears to be approaching a crucial turning point in his Aston Villa career, despite the club enjoying a strong season in domestic and European competitions. Villa currently sit third in the Premier League and have reached the Europa League last 16, but the Argentina goalkeeper has come under increasing scrutiny following several high-profile mistakes. Martinez, a 2022 World Cup winner and two-time Yashin Trophy recipient, failed to secure a much-anticipated move to Manchester United last summer, a development many believe has affected his form. The 33-year-old marked his 200th Premier League appearance for Villa in Sunday’s 2-0 win over Newcastle, having kept 59 clean sheets for the club. However, he has committed three errors leading directly to goals this season, the highest by any Premier League goalkeeper. Notable mistakes came against Liverpool, Arsenal and Everton, each proving costly. Statistically, Martinez remains among the league’s top performers, boasting the highest save percentage at 76.1 percent and ranking fifth in goals prevented. Yet doubts persist over his consistency, compounded by late withdrawals from matches and a recent calf injury that sidelined him in Villa’s Europa League win at Fenerbahce. Signed for £17 million in 2020, Martinez is under contract until 2029 but has been linked with Inter Milan. Villa are expected to review his future in the summer, with Dutch goalkeeper Marco Bizot providing experienced cover but not seen as a long-term replacement. Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson said confidence is vital for goalkeepers and suggested speculation over a potential move may have unsettled Martinez. While Unai Emery continues to back him as Villa’s first choice, a clearer resolution is likely in the coming months.   With inputs from BBC

A depleted Hearts side showed resilience and nerve to secure a dramatic draw against 10-man Celtic at Tynecastle on Sunday, keeping the Scottish Premiership title race wide open in an intense and controversial clash. Celtic twice took the lead, including a second-half goal by Yang Hyun-jun against the run of play, but Hearts refused to buckle despite missing several key players. Claudio Braga struck a late equaliser, sending the home crowd into raptures and denying Celtic a crucial victory. The match was marked by high tempo, heated exchanges and a red card that proved pivotal. Celtic defender Auston Trusty was sent off for denying an apparent goalscoring opportunity while his side led 2-1, a decision that angered the visitors and shifted momentum. Hearts pressed hard after the dismissal and finally broke through when Braga smashed home from close range following a delivery into the Celtic box, an area that again troubled the visitors’ defence. The result left Celtic without a win against Hearts this season and saw them slip to third place, behind league leaders Hearts and rivals Rangers, who are closing in after a strong revival. With several contenders still in the hunt, the Scottish Premiership title race remains unpredictable and finely balanced.   With inputs from BBC

Bangladesh has made history by lifting the inaugural SAFF Women's Futsal Championship trophy, crushing the Maldives 14-2 in their final match in Bangkok.  The commanding victory ensured Bangladesh finished atop the league-based table with 16 points from six matches, securing their first-ever international futsal title. Needing only a draw at the Nonthaburi Stadium to clinch the championship, Bangladesh fell behind early due to a defensive mix-up in the third minute. Captain Sabina Khatun, however, quickly equalised with a stunning free-kick in the fifth minute, sparking a relentless onslaught. Sabina led from the front with four goals, completing her hat-trick early in the second half. At nearly 59, Japan’s ‘King Kazu’ prepares for another season in pro football The first half ended with Bangladesh comfortably leading 6-1, thanks to a brace from Lipi Akter. The second half turned into a goal fest, with Matsushima Sumaiya, Nilufa Yasmin, Krishna Rani Sarkar, Meherun Akter, and Masura Parvin all finding the net. The Maldives defense had no answer to Bangladesh’s pace and precision. While the women’s team celebrated glory, the men’s team finished fifth in their respective tournament, which was also won by the Maldives.  

Former cricketing heavyweights Shahid Afridi and Jason Gillespie have launched a scathing attack on the International Cricket Council (ICC), accusing the governing body of ‘hypocrisy’ and ‘double standards’ after it officially replaced Bangladesh with Scotland in the 2026 T20 World Cup. The backlash follows the ICC's confirmation on Saturday that Scotland would take Bangladesh's spot in Group C, after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) refused to send its team to India citing security concerns. The ICC justified the move by stating there was an ‘absence of any credible or verifiable security threat’. Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi expressed deep disappointment on social media platform X, pointing out the glaring inconsistency in how the ICC handles security claims from different nations. T20 World Cup: ICC rejects Bangladesh’s safe-venue request, includes Scotland He drew a sharp parallel to India’s refusal to tour Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy, a decision the ICC accommodated. “It accepted India’s security concerns for not touring Pakistan in 2025, yet appears unwilling to apply the same understanding to Bangladesh,” Afridi wrote. “Consistency and fairness are the foundation of global cricket governance... The ICC should build bridges, not burn them.”  Australian legend and former Pakistan red-ball coach Jason Gillespie echoed these sentiments, openly questioning why a neutral venue solution—often used for India—was not offered to Bangladesh.  Farooki questions ICC’s neutrality, cites mob lynching as proof of ‘severe risk’ in India “Has there been an explanation from the ICC why Bangladesh could not play their games outside of India?” Gillespie asked on X. “From memory, India refused to play Champions Trophy matches in Pakistan and they were allowed to play those games outside of Pakistan. Can someone make this make sense?!?!” Scotland, beneficiaries of the standoff, will now join England, the West Indies, Italy, and Nepal in Group C.    

Real Madrid returned to the top of La Liga on Saturday as Kylian Mbappé scored twice in a 2-0 victory at Villarreal, giving the club a two-point lead over Barcelona. Mbappé opened the scoring early in the second half and added a penalty in stoppage time, marking his 20th and 21st goals of the season in 20 league appearances. Barcelona will need to defeat bottom-placed Real Oviedo at home on Sunday to reclaim first place. The victory comes amid turbulence at the Santiago Bernabéu. Madrid replaced coach Xabi Alonso following a Super Cup defeat to Barcelona, and his successor Álvaro Arbeloa endured a difficult debut with a Copa del Rey exit to a second-division team. Fan protests followed two recent home wins, but Arbeloa has now guided Madrid to three consecutive victories. Arbeloa praised Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior for their decisive contributions. “They are two of the best players in the world, they break down defenses and we try to get them as many touches as we can,” he said. Villarreal, now fourth in the standings, saw Pape Gueye return to the starting lineup following his Africa Cup of Nations heroics with Senegal. The hosts’ best chance came when Gerard Moreno was left unmarked in the 63rd minute but fired over. Argentina defender Juan Foyth left the field with a leg injury in the first half. Elsewhere, Valencia edged Espanyol 3-2 with a controversial stoppage-time penalty, Sevilla overcame Athletic Bilbao 2-1, and Osasuna defeated Rayo Vallecano 3-1. The league’s lower half remains tightly packed, with just four points separating 8th-placed Osasuna and 17th-placed Getafe. A minute of silence was observed before all matches this weekend for the victims of two deadly train accidents in Spain this week.

A senior official of the German Football Association (DFB) has called for discussions on a possible boycott of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, citing concerns over the actions of US President Donald Trump. Oke Göttlich, vice president of the DFB and president of Bundesliga club St. Pauli, said the issue should be “seriously considered” in light of recent political developments involving the United States. In an interview with Hamburger Morgenpost on Friday, Göttlich referred to Trump’s controversial bid to take control of Greenland and his threat to impose tariffs on several European countries opposing the move. He said these actions have strained relations between the US and its European allies and raised concerns about stability within NATO. Questioning past precedents, Göttlich compared the situation to Olympic boycotts in the 1980s, arguing that the current geopolitical risks are even greater. He stressed the need to defend values and set clear boundaries when those values are threatened. The 2026 World Cup is scheduled to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19. Concerns have already been raised over high-ticket prices and travel restrictions that could prevent fans from certain countries from attending. Göttlich acknowledged that his stance may face opposition from DFB.

Tottenham Hotspur have opened discussions with Liverpool over a possible move for experienced left back Andy Robertson, according to media reports. Robertson, 31, is set to become a free agent this summer as his contract at Anfield expires. The Scotland international said recently that he is still unsure about his future and wants regular playing time ahead of the next World Cup. Spurs are understood to have made an initial approach, but no agreement has been reached so far. Robertson has started only four Premier League matches this season and has mainly played a backup role. Liverpool signed Robertson from Hull City in 2017 for £8 million. He has since made 363 appearances for the club and won nine major trophies, including two Premier League titles and the Champions League. His latest outing came as a substitute in the 1-1 league draw against Burnley on January 17. Liverpool coach Arne Slot has said Robertson remains an important player and praised his attitude after losing his regular place to summer signing Milos Kerkez. If Robertson leaves, Kerkez would be Liverpool’s only senior left back, although the club could recall Kostas Tsimikas from his loan spell at Roma. Tottenham recently signed Brazilian left back Souza and already have several options in that position. Destiny Udogie has been the first choice this season, with Djed Spence also available. Ben Davies, another option, has been ruled out for the rest of the campaign due to a broken ankle. A move for Robertson would add experience to a young Spurs squad, where Davies was the only player over 30 before his injury.   With inputs from BBC

Forward Trinity Rodman has agreed to a three-year contract to remain with the Washington Spirit, ending months of speculation about the Olympic gold medalist's future in the National Women's Soccer League. “I think I've always had a vision and an idea of what I wanted my legacy to be,” Rodman said at an event announcing her new deal on Thursday in Los Angeles. “And for me, we're doing that and I'm so grateful for that.” The speculation over Rodman's future with the Spirit spurred criticism of the NWSL salary cap and whether it hampered the league from attracting and maintaining top players. The 23-yera-old Rodman became a free agent at the end of last season after five years with the Spirit. One of the biggest stars in the NWSL, keeping her in the league was considered vitally important as other U.S. national team stars, including Naomi Girma and Alyssa Thompson, opted to play in Europe. Rodman, who won a gold medal with the United States at the Paris Olympics, had been drawing interest from European teams that don’t have a salary cap. “I can't think of the Washington Spirit without her,” Spirit owner Michele Kang said. “And I hope she can't think about her career without the Washington Spirit. So this is really monumental and it was really important, not only for the Spirit, especially for our fans who expect to see her. They come to Audi Field and that's where Rowdy Audi clearly came out.” Rodman said she always wanted to stay with the Spirit “Making my decision, the one question I was asked was: ‘Do you feel like you’re finished with the Spirit? Can you say that and feel confident leaving?’” she said. “I didn’t even need half a second, and I was like, ’No, I’m not. I don’t feel ready to make a different decision. That’s just, again, getting drafted here and developing and maturing and learning – and failing – at the Spirit, in D.C., it’s become so much of my legacy and my story. But on top of that, I still feel like there’s so much more I have to give and so much more that I want to do.” The Spirit and Rodman had previously struck a multi-year deal that both parties maintained was in compliance with the salary cap, but it was rejected by the league because it went against the spirit of the rules. The National Women's Soccer League Players Association filed a grievance claiming that the NWSL's rejection of the contract violated Rodman's free agency rights and violated the collective bargaining agreement. To address the salary cap issue, the NWSL in late December adopted a “High Impact Player” mechanism that allowed teams to spend up to $1 million over the cap to sign players that meet certain criteria. Those included metrics like national team minutes, inclusion among the 30 candidates for the Ballon d’Or or player rankings by outlets like the Guardian or ESPN. The NWSLPA filed a grievance over the rule, claiming it violated the collective bargaining agreement and federal labor law because player compensation must be negotiated. The NWSLPA maintains the league had no authority to “unilaterally create a new pay structure.” Spirit President of Soccer Operations Haley Carter said the High Impact Player rule figured into the contract Rodman ultimately agreed to. Carter also said the grievances would not alter Rodman's deal. The financial terms of Rodman's contract were not disclosed, but the Spirit called it “one of the most significant deals in NWSL history.” The NWSL’s salary cap is $3.5 million for each team for the 2026 season, although it will increase each year until it hits $5.1 million in 2030. Rodman is currently with the national team in their annual January training camp in Carson, California. The team plays a match there against Paraguay on Saturday and then plays Chile on Tuesday in Santa Barbara. Rodman has 47 appearances and 11 goals with the national team, more than any other player on the latest roster. She played in one U.S. match last year, a 2-0 victory over Brazil in April, because of injuries.