Sports
Bayern Munich Apologise To PSG For Offensive Banners
Bayern Munich apologised to Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday for the presence of banners with offensive messages aimed at the French club’s president Nasser al-Khelaifi during their Champions League clash.
PSG visited Bayern’s Allianz Arena on Tuesday and a section of the home support unveiled a banner with a profanity aimed at the “plutocratic Al-Khelaifi”.
A separate banner with a picture of Al-Khelaifi’s head crossed out was also displayed, as well as two banners reading “Minister, club owner, TV rights holder, UEFA EXCO member & ECA chairman all in one”.
Some Bayern fans also reportedly sang insulting chants about the French club itself after the match, which the hosts won 1-0.
“FC Bayern would like to apologise when its opponents and their representatives in its stadium feel personally attacked in this manner and tone and are offended as a result,” read a statement on Bayern’s website.
“The club would like to make it clear that these banners were not authorised by FC Bayern and do not reflect its stance.”
“They are not in keeping with the good and long-standing relationship between the two clubs. The tone of these banners also goes against the style of FC Bayern and the respectful relationship the club has with its international partners,” the Bavarian club added.
Al-Khelaifi became president of PSG in 2011, following the acquisition of the club by Qatar Sports Investments (QSI).
The 51-year-old has also been the president of the European Club Association since April 2021, and was reelected in September of last year on a four-year mandate.
In addition, Al-Khelaifi is the chair of beIN Media Group, which holds distribution rights for various football competitions, including France’s Ligue 1 and Germany’s Bundesliga.
QSI is a subsidiary of the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) — the country’s sovereign wealth fund which has assets worth hundreds of billions of dollars.
AFP
Sports
Bernardo Silva To Leave Man City At End Of Season
Bernardo Silva is set to leave Man City at the end of the season.
The Manchester City captain Bernardo Silva will leave the club when his contract expires at the end of the season.
The Portugal midfielder, 31, has scored 76 goals and made 77 assists in 451 appearances for City since joining from Monaco in 2017.
Last month’s Carabao Cup victory was his 15th major honour with City, including the Treble in 2022-23.
Silva also helped City win the Premier League title with 100 points in 2017-18, all four domestic trophies in 2018-19, and four consecutive league titles between 2021 and 2024.
“What we won and achieved together is a legacy that will forever be cherished in my heart,” he said on Instagram., external
“The Centurions, the domestic quadruple, the Treble, the four in a row, and much more. It wasn’t that bad.”
Silva is the only player from City’s modern era in the top 10 of the club’s all-time appearances list and is currently joint-eighth with Mike Summerbee.
He was named club captain following the departure of Kevin de Bruyne at the end of last season and has won six Premier League titles in his first eight seasons with City.
The Blues are currently second in the league and play Southampton in the FA Cup semi-finals on 25 April.
“My main goal as a player was to always play with passion so you guys (the fans) could feel proud and well represented on the pitch,” Silva added. “I hope you felt that every single game.
“I arrived as a Man City player, I leave as one more of you, a Man City supporter for life. Keep supporting this young team, and I’m pretty sure they will bring you a lot of new, fantastic memories in the future. Let’s enjoy together these last weeks and fight for what this season still brings us.”
Another long-time City servant is set to depart the Etihad.
Since joining City, Silva has been alongside Pep Guardiola every step of the way and has become the manager’s most trusted lieutenant and his voice on the field.
Once an attacking midfielder, the Portuguese has dropped deeper into a more defensive role, and his high work rate was on show during Sunday’s statement win at Chelsea.
Silva may not have the number of goals and assists Kevin de Bruyne supplied for City, but he was handed the captain’s armband in the summer for “always being there” last season, when they failed to win a major trophy.
And Silva led the side to March’s Carabao Cup triumph over Arsenal to end that barren run, climbing the steps at Wembley to lift a remarkable 19th piece of silverware at the club.
When sitting in for Guardiola following the FA Cup quarter-final win over Liverpool earlier this month, his assistant Pep Lijnders said “every story comes to an end”.
Guardiola subsequently said Silva had not yet told him what decision he had made on his future, but his departure has now been confirmed, and he will spend the final few weeks of the season trying to win a domestic treble and further cement his status as an undoubted City great.
Sports
Former Arsenal, Liverpool Legend Dies In Train Crash
A former Arsenal and Liverpool legend is dead after a train crash.
The former Arsenal and Liverpool goalkeeper passed away on Thursday after his car was struck by a train in Salzburg.
Local reports say that Manninger was driving at a level crossing in Pabing, near Nussdorf am Haunsberg, at 8:20 am before his vehicle was dragged several metres by the train.
Believed to be driving alone, Manninger was pulled from the wreckage but sadly died at the scene.
Austrian outlet Salzburg ORF added that the 25 passengers who were on board the train are thought to be unharmed.
The Austrian FA (OFB) confirmed his death by posting on social media: “The news of Alex Manninger’s death is deeply shocking. With him, football loses a special person.
“In this difficult time, our sincere condolences go to his family, his friends, and all those who were close to him. Much strength for the time ahead.”
Manninger played 39 times for Arsenal between 1997 and 2002, the final year of which he became third choice and was loaned to Fiorentina in Italy.
Predominately backup to David Seaman, Manninger helped the Gunners win both the Premier League title and FA Cup during his time in North London.
Arsenal said in a tribute: “Everyone at Arsenal is shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic passing of former goalkeeper, Alex Manninger.
All our thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this incredibly sad time. Rest in peace, Alex.”
In a career that spanned 22 years and 15 different clubs, Liverpool was his final destination. He was signed by Jurgen Klopp ahead of the 2016-17 season, although he didn’t make an appearance for Liverpool’s first team.
The club offered their condolences by saying: “Liverpool FC is deeply saddened by the passing of former goalkeeper Alex Manninger at the age of 48. The thoughts of everyone at LFC are with Alex’s family and friends at this difficult time.”
Manninger also played for Juventus and earned 33 caps for his country. Tributes are also flooding in from across Europe.
Red Bull Salzburg, for whom Manninger enjoyed two spells playing, posted: “We mourn our former goalkeeper Alexander Manninger, who tragically lost his life in a traffic accident. Our thoughts are with his family and friends. Rest in peace, Alexander.”
Juventus said, “Today is a terribly sad day. He has left us not only as a great athlete, but as a man of rare values: humility, dedication, and an extraordinary professional seriousness. Juventus expresses its condolences for the passing of Alex Manninger and stands with the family in this moment of grief.”
Another tribute reads: “Fiorentina mourns the sudden passing of Alex Manninger, the Viola goalkeeper in the 2001-2002 season, who had a long career in Italy and as the Austrian national team’s goalkeeper. The entire club joins his family in this moment of profound grief.”
Italian giants Napoli added: “President Aurelio De Laurentiis and all of SSC Napoli join in the mourning for the passing of Alexander Manninger, the goalkeeper who starred in a prestigious career in Italian and European football.”
Just this month, Manninger revealed that he regretted leaving Arsenal ‘too soon’, having been desperate to play more regular football. He told Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport: “It makes me emotional just thinking about it.
“I was 20, a kid. [Arsene] Wenger wanted to bring an international dimension to the club and focus on young players.
I was one of them. Arsene even introduced a training camp, which was unusual for the Premier League at the time.
“I have to say that, despite my age, I felt comfortable with the goal. Up front, I had a giant like Tony Adams. He taught me so much. I only have one regret: leaving too soon. But you know, I wanted to play.”
Sports
UCL: Real Madrid, Sporting out as Bayern Munich, Arsenal reach semi-finals
Arsenal qualified for the semi-finals of the Champions League, despite playing a goalless draw with Sporting on Wednesday night.
The Gunners had won the first leg 1-0 in Portugal thanks to Kai Havertz’s late winner.
At the Emirates, the chances were far and few as both teams hit the woodwork but failed to score.
Arsenal will now play Atletico Madrid, who eliminated Barcelona.
In the other quarter-final, Bayern Munich beat Real Madrid 4-3 at the Allianz Arena.
The Bundesliga champions had won the first leg 1-0 at the Bernabeu.
Bayern Munich will play Paris Saint-Germain for a place in the final.
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