
Manchester City out to continue fresh start at Club World Cup by reaching last eight
Orlando (PA Media/dpa)Manchester City will bid to join Chelsea in the quarter-finals of the Club World Cup as they come up against Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal on Monday night.City were the only team in the tournament to win all three of their group games and they will hope to carry that momentum into their last-16 outing in Orlando.Wydad Casablanca and Al Ain were swept aside by an aggregate of 8-0 before City thrashed Juventus 5-2 in a statement performance last Thursday."We're still early in the season, but I think the energy is different," said Matheus Nunes, who shone at right-back against the Italians.
"What I like most about this tournament is that we entered all the games to win and it has to be that way until the final."

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The National
19 hours ago
- The National
Al Ain threaten counter legal action against UAE FA over referee row
Al Ain have hit back in their refereeing dispute with the Football Association, threatening counter legal action. The club released a statement after their 2-1 win over Al Bataeh in their opening fixture of the UAE Pro League on Saturday, in which they condemned 'a number of controversial refereeing incidents'. The statement said it rejected the 'continued occurrence of refereeing errors that could affect the team's progress'. ' Al Ain Club stresses its firm and unwavering position in supporting the refereeing system in Emirati football, and is standing by all efforts made to develop it in a way that contributes to the advancement of the game and enhances its integrity and fairness,' the statement said. 'However, the club at the same time rejects the continued occurrence of refereeing errors that could affect the team's progress in local competitions. '[It] stresses its keenness to take the necessary steps to ensure justice and equal opportunities between all teams, while emphasising the importance of developing the standards and mechanisms for selecting video technology referees to keep pace with the requirements of the stage, and limit controversial and influential decisions.' Although the new season is only one matchday old, the complaint is not a new one by Al Ain. After the final game of last season, before they headed off to the Club World Cup in the United States, Vladimir Ivic, the coach, said the issue had cost his side. 'We played good football and we deserved eight or nine points more [in the closing weeks of the season],' Ivic said after their win against Al Nasr in May. 'I believe this is the reason we are not second. I don't speak about finishing fourth position; I speak about second. 'They didn't allow us to take nine points. If you look game by game at the mistakes that were made against us, you will understand what I mean.' Ivic also said 'when you work, and you have players who fight, when you lose the game and it is not your fault, it is hard to take.' That frustration has now been made formal by way of their statement at the weekend. The UAE FA responded immediately, saying it completely rejected 'any questioning of the integrity and competence'. '[The FA] expressed its strong objection to the inappropriate criticism of arbitration decisions published on Al Ain Club's official platforms, calling on those in charge of the club to adhere to sporting values and the principles of respect and not to detract from the work of others," it said. 'The Football Association also confirmed that it has initiated the necessary legal action against Al Ain Club, and will take similar legal action against anyone who inappropriately belittles its work or the performance of its members.' The FA pointed out Al Ain has 'no business interfering' in the evaluation of officiating, saying there are 'clear mechanisms' for objecting to decisions. It also suggested the club focus on 'internal affairs'. 'It is worth noting that over the past two seasons, the club and its members have been committing many administrative errors during administrative transactions with [the FA], which the [FA] dealt with professionally and through its official channels,' it said. 'The Federation hopes that the club will further develop the performance of its members and avoid getting involved in matters that do not concern it.' The governing body also pointed out clubs could request the assistance of foreign referees, as occasionally happens during big Pro League matches. For example, Clement Turpin, the highly regarded French referee, was flown in to oversee Al Ain's game against Al Wasl at the beginning of last season. The FA's statement was met with an angry response by Al Ain, who said they will pursue legal action of their own. "Al Ain Football Club condemns the statement issued against it on the evening of Sunday, August 17, 2025, and confirms that the matter has been referred to the competent authorities to take the necessary legal measures to protect the rights of the club and its members,' it said. Al Ain's next fixture is an away trip to Dibba on Saturday.

Khaleej Times
a day ago
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Al Ain FC to pursue legal measures after Uaefa statement
Al Ain FC has expressed its denunciation of a statement that was issued against it on Sunday, the football club said on its Instagram page. The club has also affirmed that the matter has been referred to the competent authorities to take the necessary legal measures to safeguard the rights of the club and its members. The UAE Football Association (UAEFA) issued a strongly worded statement on Sunday, rejecting any questioning of the integrity and competence of Emirati referees. It also expressed its strong disapproval of Al Ain Club's official platforms, criticising refereeing decisions, and urged the club to adhere to sportsmanship and respect for others' work. UAEFA said that it will initiate legal action against Al Ain Club and anyone else who inappropriately questions the work or performance of its members.

Al Etihad
a day ago
- Al Etihad
Neymar in tears after suffering biggest career defeat
18 Aug 2025 17:23 Berlin (dpa) Neymar left the pitch in tears after suffering the biggest defeat of his career on Sunday Santos team lost 6-0 to Vasco in matchday 20 of the Brazilian league. Previously, his worst setbacks had been 4-0 defeats. The first one came when Santos played against Barcelona in the Club World Cup final in 2011. After moving to Barcelona, he suffered a 4-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League last 16 in sat on ground immediately after the final whistle and broke into tears. His team-mates offered to help him getting up but he leaving the pitch, the Brazilian international was seen sobbing while being embraced by Vasco coach Fernando Diniz. He later briefly spoked to reporters and said that the defeat was "embarassing" and that "everyone will have something to think about tonight.""I've never been through something like that in my life. I cried out of anger. Unfortunately I can't help in every way." he said. Santos are 15th in the standings and sacked coach Cleber Xavier after the heavy defeat to Vasco. Neymar, 33, returned to his boyhood club Santos in January after cutting short his stay with Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal. His current deal runs until the end of 2025.



