Former England coach Fabio Capello has denied reports he has been approached to replace Chelsea manager Rafael Benitez.

Reports linking Capello with the club emerged after Benitez publicly criticised the decision to label him the interim manager.

The Spaniard was also critical of the Chelsea supporters who continue to strongly object to his presence in the Stamford Bridge dugout.

Capello, who is in charge of Russia s national side, has denied an approach from the west London club.

I have not received an offer, he told Radio Anch io Sport.

I m thinking about the Russian national team, and I feel very happy in Moscow.

In 2009 then-Russia coach Guus Hiddink took over as Chelsea caretaker following the sacking of Luiz Felipe Scolari, winni…

Gerard Pique intends to stay at Barcelona for the rest of his career after describing the club as his family and his life .

The central defender came through the youth academy at the club and, apart from a four year spell with Manchester United and a brief loan spell at Real Zaragoza, has spent his whole career at the Camp Nou.
The 26-year-old has made over 100 appearances for the club since returning from England in 2008, and has built a formidable defensive partnership with Carles Puyol that enabled Barcelona to dominate Spanish and European football and helped Spain win the FIFA World Cup.
However, injuries to Puyol broke up that partnership last season and Barcelona s defensive performances drew criticism as they looked shaky against quality European sides like Milan and Baye…

Luis Enrique feels Real Madrid s Champions League dominance does not mean the club have enjoyed a more successful spell than Barcelona under his leadership.

A star for both teams during his playing days, the Asturian coach will leave Barca at the end of the campaign, having guided the Catalans to two LaLiga titles, two Copa del Rey wins and one Champions League crown, with this season s championship still up for grabs.

Madrid have not finished on top of LaLiga since 2012, but they have won two of the last three Champions Leagues, beating local rivals Atletico Madrid in the final in 2014 and 2016, either side of Barca s 2015 triumph.

Zinedine Zidane s holders look set to reach another final this term, having beaten Atletico 3-0 in the first leg of their semi-final…

Roma have announced the signing of Ivan Marcano from Porto.

The centre-back joined the Serie A side on a free transfer after completing a medical on Thursday.

Marcano, 30, has signed a three-year contract that includes the option of a fourth year, which will be triggered automatically depending on certain sporting objectives.

I am very happy to be here, because Roma is a great club that is moving in the right direction, following a clear sporting project, Marcano told the club s website.

I also believe that the footballing philosophy of the team will fit well with my strengths and characteristics.

Welcome to , Ivan Marcano! 

Details  

— AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN)

Sporting director Monchi, who reportedly wanted to …

Mexico captain Rafael Marquez has been sanctioned by the United States Department of the Treasury for his alleged support of a drug trafficking organisation.

Authorities say the organisation was led by Raul Flores Hernandez, with former Barcelona star Marquez among 22 people identified as someone upon whom he [Hernandez] heavily relies to further his drug trafficking and money laundering activities .

The treasury added via a statement that a soccer team and a casino are among 43 other entities that will be sanctioned.

The release singled out Marquez and popular musician Julion Alvarez for their involvement with the operation, stating: Both men have longstanding relationships with Flores Hernandez, and have acted as front persons for him and his DTO and held asset…

PAUL POGBA

Pogba was United s top scorer in the Premier League last term but his season ended with a confrontation with supporters after the final game of the campaign, a home loss to Cardiff City. The Frenchman confirmed in June he was seeking a new challenge but is yet to get a move away. Pogba, who was targeted by racist abuse after failing to convert a penalty in a draw at Wolves last Monday, is reportedly wanted at Madrid by Zinedine Zidane. But time is running out to do that deal, especially as United are unable to secure a replacement as the Premier League s window has already closed.

My ancestors and my parents suffered for my generation to be free today, to work, to take the bus, to play football. Racist insults are ignorance and can only make me stronger and m…

Mikel Arteta has hailed Pep Guardiola as the bravest manager in football ahead of his reunion with the Manchester City boss when Arsenal travel to the Etihad Stadium.

Arteta will lead the Gunners for the first time against his former employers on Wednesday, having served as a key member of Guardiola s backroom staff for a decorated three-and-a-half-year period.

The pair have remained in regular contact since Arteta stepped up to succeed Unai Emery at Emirates Stadium last December and he feels the ex-Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss stands apart in the modern game.

For me the first thing is his values as a person, that stands in front of everything, he said.

The way he treats the players, the way he treats people, the way he looks after the football cl…

Neymar said we lost the battle but the war continues as the Paris Saint-Germain superstar keeps the faith with the club s Champions League hopes in the balance.

Manchester City seized control of the semi-final tie thanks to Wednesday s 2-1 victory in Paris, where Pep Guardiola s visitors produced a sensational second-half turnaround against PSG.

PSG captain Marquinhos opened the scoring in the 15th minute as last season s runners-up outplayed City in the opening half in the French capital.

But Kevin De Bruyne s awkward cross-cum-shot found the back of the net just past the hour-mark and Riyad Mahrez s free-kick put City ahead seven minutes later, while PSG ended the match with 10 men following Idrissa Gueye s 77th-minute red card.

Perdemos a batalha mas …

Radu Dragusin resolved to show he can be a future cornerstone of the Juventus defence after signing a new long-term contract.

The 19-year-old Romanian central defender had been linked with a host of clubs, including Borussia Dortmund and Newcastle United, but has committed to Juventus until the end of the 2024-25 season.

Dragusin, who is 6ft 3in tall, has been compared in his style of play to Liverpool s Virgil van Dijk and has previously highlighted the Dutchman as a player he admires.

Juventus acquired him from Romanian club Regal Sport in 2018, and this season saw Dragusin make his first-team debut in December against Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League.

His new deal was announced on the Juventus website on Friday, with the club stating: Dragusin s…

Lionel Messi set a new record for the most Argentina goals scored at World Cups after netting his 11th in Tuesday s semi-final against Croatia.

Messi went into the game level on 10 with Albiceleste great Gabriel Batistuta, having already netted four times en route to the semis.

His fifth of the campaign, drawing level with Kylian Mbappe in the Golden Boot race, came from the penalty spot at Lusail Stadium.

Messi scored the opening goal of the game against Croatia 11 minutes before half-time, blasting into the top-right corner after Julian Alvarez was fouled by Dominik Livakovic.

13 Since the 1966 edition, no player has scored or assisted in more different World Cup matches than Lionel Messi (13 – level with Ronaldo). Mesmerising.

— OptaJoe (@…