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Reuters
35 minutes ago
- Reuters
India's top league ISL on hold, federation says
July 12 (Reuters) - India's top-flight soccer league, the Indian Super League, is on hold, the country's football federation (AIFF) announced on Saturday, citing stalled negotiations for a contract renewal with their commercial partners, Reliance-led Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL). Talks to renew the 2010 agreement stalled after India's Supreme Court asked the AIFF not to renew their deal with FSDL until its order, the federation said. A case to implement a new constitution for the AIFF is ongoing at the country's Supreme Court. "The AIFF was advised by its legal counsel that during a hearing on April 26, 2025, the Honourable Supreme Court of India made an observation that the renewal of the Master Rights Agreement should not be done until its order," the AIFF said. "Consequently, based on legal advice... renewal discussions have been in abeyance." Media reports said that the deal between the AIFF and FSDL is set to expire in December. The 2024-25 season of the ISL kicked off in September, featuring 13 clubs. "The AIFF and its stakeholders will take all possible steps and do all things within their power to ensure continuity of the ISL in the best interests of Indian football," the AIFF added.
BBC News
36 minutes ago
- BBC News
The 'proper English' mantra & how it's lifting Lionesses
The Lionesses have adopted a new mantra - 'proper English'.It's a phrase that's been repeated by players in post-match interviews and press conferences, while manager Sarina Wiegman has referred to it what does it actually mean and how have England used it to drive their performances in the group stages of Euro 2025?Wiegman's side are attempting to defend their title in Switzerland, but got off to the worst possible start with a 2-1 defeat by France in Group was a disappointing performance, but the players bounced back to beat the Netherlands 4-0 and revive their hopes of reaching the quarter-finals. 'Showing fight, desire and being hard to beat' The phrase was first used by their 2023 World Cup captain Millie Bright in February when she described their victory over Spain as 'proper English'.Defensively solid, tenacious out of possession and dangerous going forward, it was England coming close to a complete performance in the Women's Nations was also the perfect response to an underwhelming 1-1 draw with Portugal a few days earlier."After the last game, we wanted to be even more connected. We spoke about just being proper English," said Chelsea defender Bright at the time."I mean that fight, and that desire to defend for each other, to work hard for each other and to be hard to beat. It's so important to be hard to beat."Wiegman said the team had "fought for every yard" and it is those messages that are now being repeated in the press conference before the crucial Netherlands game, midfielder Georgia Stanway vowed to show a 'proper England' performance following the France the victory, Lucy Bronze likened the display from defensive duo Jess Carter and Alex Greenwood - and their team work - as demonstrating exactly where did the mantra come from?"We speak about it a lot. After that disappointing result [against France] it was a bit more reinforced," said England forward Lauren Hemp. "We took a step back and remembered why we were all here and how we got here and the journeys that we have been on. We touched on that a lot. "We're here to win and we want to do that. It showed the mentality of the group that we were able to bounce back in the way that we did. "We didn't just beat them 1-0, we beat them convincingly and put in a great performance [and one] that this England team wanted to show."It's about that fight in us, that we all have, and will show in different ways. Everyone on that pitch did their jobs." All about the playing style 'Send it long', 'if in doubt, kick it out' and 'get stuck in' are the types of phrases you will hear in playgrounds and grassroots clubs across the the Spanish have their 'tiki-taka', the English have 'route one' Hannah Hampton produced such goods in the win over the Netherlands, playing a perfect long ball to Alessia Russo, who teed up Lauren James for England's opener. It set the tone for a dominant display. It's not just the Lionesses who strive to play to their identity. The Football Association hired a manager for the men's team who continued to instill the fundamentals of the English DNA, bringing in ex-Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel, despite his rich German Dutchwoman Wiegman in charge, however, the Lionesses' DNA has morphed slightly. Their English fight remains, but their style has adapted. There is no rigid 4-4-2 with this team, but a midfield three, and sometimes three at the are more possession-based and attempt to build up play from the back, using Keira Walsh as a pivot in midfield. If anything, Wiegman's side strive for 'total football' - a Dutch identity from the Johan Cruyff era - a dynamic and creative playing style, which relies on the versatility of players. But in order to do that, England's basics must rallying cry earlier this week was to "stop talking" and do their business on the pitch."Sometimes it's about blocking out the noise, getting on the pitch and getting stuck in," she striker Russo was one of the standout performers against the Netherlands, picking up three assists. Asked what being 'proper English' meant to her, she said afterwards: "It means we'll work hard until we can't run any more and stick together."We know that we are very dominant on the ball. We wanted to return to our roots and we know we're capable of performances like that." Going back to their roots to revive Euro hopes England had less possession in the Netherlands tie than against France (57% compared to 52%), but they won the ball back twice as many times in the final energy from the players was clear to see, with England applying 'high-intensity pressure' in the Netherlands final third on 87 occasions, up from 69 against won 46 out of their 48 duels, having only come out on top in 37 out of 89 in the French dribbled past players at will to provide the creativity, while Ella Toone snuck into pockets of space to link up with the versatility was there too as James, who started as a number 10 against France, played out on the right wing, while Carter moved to centre-back and Greenwood went to yet mixed among the flair was the 'proper English' traits of hard work, tough tackling, caution and countless crosses into the said discussions this week, reminding each other of their roots, what it took to get here and their personal stories, played a valuable part in the Dutch success, which has left them now needing to beat Wales on Sunday to confirm a last-eight place."We want to find out everything that we can do. They're our family here and we're together as a group," added the Manchester City forward."It's been important. You can know every single bit about someone to help you through everything."
Daily Mail
43 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Why Diogo Jota was football's nice guy: Tragic Liverpool star supported a struggling fan, gave away thousands of pounds to his team-mate and was the 'kindest in the neighbourhood'
The football world has been united in mourning for the late Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and his younger brother Andre Silva, after the pair tragically passed away last week. Jota and his brother died when when their car crashed in the early hours last Thursday morning in northern Spain. The accident came just 11 days after Jota had married childhood sweetheart Rute Cardoso, also 28, who is the mother of his two sons Dinis, four, and Duarte, two as well as his baby daughter Mafalda, who is just eight months old. An outpouring of emotion has followed in the days since the tragic events, with a joint funeral held last Saturday in their hometown of Gondomar, located near Porto. Liverpool manager Arne Slot and members of the first team squad were in attendance at the funeral to pay their respects, joining members of the brother's family and friends. Key figures from the Premier League champions' hierarchy, international team-mates and football greats from Portugal's past also attended to honour Jota and Andre Silva. Tributes have continued in the days since with Slot, his wife Mirjam and Reds defender Andy Robertson laying their own tributes outside Anfield, where thousands of Liverpool fans have paid homage in the days since. Jota will be forever loved by Liverpool fans for his contribution during his five years on Merseyside. He made 182 appearances for the Reds and netted 65 times, while he provided 26 assists. He was part of the Liverpool squad that won the Premier League title last season and previously won the FA Cup and two League Cups. Jota's impact was also felt by those off the field, with fans and players recalling his acts of kindness in the days since his death. Luis Diaz has been among those to speak in glowing terms about his late team-mate. 'It's very difficult to receive news like this, it's very sad,' he told WinSportsTV earlier this week. 'No one is prepared for this, he was a key companion when I arrived in Liverpool because his family welcomed me and we formed a great friendship. We had a healthy rivalry and it was important.' Diaz also took time to look back on the support that Jota provided him when the Colombian's father Luis Manuel was kidnapped in their hometown of Barrancas in October 2023. Jota's generosity to Diaz began before the Colombian joined Liverpool, after he gave up thousands when allowing the winger to move out of the house he rented from him early Jota had the idea to hold up a 'Diaz 7' jersey in a show of their support to their team-mate and his family when Liverpool went 1-0 up. Fittingly, Jota was the man to score the goal against Nottingham Forest, with the gesture one that the Colombian will always remember. 'He made a very nice gesture towards me, which I will never forget,' Diaz said. 'May he rest in peace, I have a great friend in my heart, who will always be remembered by his team. 'I want to send a lot of strength to his family, his wife, his children, because the truth is that they are suffering a lot with this. '(It hurts) a lot, a lot. It was incredible when I woke up and saw the news. The truth is I broke down in tears. It is a very, very, very big pain.' While the gesture is the one fans will most associate with Jota and Diaz, he has already shown kindness to the Colombian even before he arrived at Liverpool in January 2022 from Porto. Diaz had been renting Jota's house at the time in Porto, with the forward having enjoyed a loan spell himself at the club during the 2016-17 season. Jota had revealed in an interview with FourFourTwo in 2023 that he had allowed Diaz out of tenancy contract early after he joined Liverpool, a decision which would have have cost him thousands of pounds. 'He rented the house I'd lived in when I played for Porto,' Jota had said. 'He was paying me rent, then he ended up playing with me, and I often still bring that up during our conversations. 'He arrived in January and had a contract with me until July, but because he was going to be my team-mate, I let him out of the contract.' 4 years ago when my lad was at his lowest, Diogo took the time to record this for him and it helped more than he will ever know. It was a small task, but it meant to so much and I would have loved to have thanked for him personally for it. Thank you Diogo ❤️ — Ste Davies (@StevenD1977) July 3, 2025 Steven Davies, a big Liverpool fan, shared a video Diogo Jota sent to his son, Liam Liverpool manager Arne Slot and his wife Mirjam have paid their respects to Diogo Jota and his brother Andre after their tragic death Mail Sport's Lewis Steele recalled in his own tribute to Jota that the Liverpool star was a 'genuine, down-to-earth chap' and showed no signs of ego despite his success with both club and country. He revealed Jota had provided a glowing reference to a former Wolves staff member - having made his name at the Midlands club - when they were being interviewed for a role in Liverpool's media team late last year. The reference helped get his old colleague the job. Amid the tributes in recent days, one Liverpool fan, Steven Davies, had revealed Jota had got in touch after his own son Liam was going through a difficult time. Jota took the time to send Liam a video message of support, saying: 'Hello Liam, I believe that you are not having an easy time right now, so I just wanted to get in touch to say you have the support of everyone at Liverpool, just as you have always supported us. 'I'm no expert but whenever I'm struggling I always make sure I listen to the doctors and do exactly what they tell me to do, all the things they say, like eating and drinking the right stuff make a big difference for me whenever I'm struggling. 'Hopefully it will be the same for you. Take care of yourself and hopefully we will see you back in Anfield before too long.' After the shock news of Jota's passing emerged, Steven shared the old clip on social media to highlight the gesture. On X, he wrote: '4 years ago when my lad was at his lowest, Diogo took the time to record this for him and it helped more than he will ever know. 'It was a small task, but it meant to so much and I would have loved to have thanked for him personally for it. Thank you Diogo.' Jota's success on the pitch had included Premier League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup glory with Liverpool, along with two UEFA Nations League triumphs with Portugal. The Premier League and second Nations League success came in the past two months, with his wedding to childhood sweetheart Rute part of one of the happiest periods of his life. Locals in his hometown of Gondomar, speaking last week, noted that Jota's achievements on the pitch had not changed his character. Jota was seen to have remained a grounded and kind character back home. 'The family came from very humble beginnings,' one local Ana, told the Guardian last week. 'Diogo was always such a kind kid – the ball never left his feet. 'He was always trying to help. He sent boots to my brother. If you needed something, it might take some time but he always came through.' Ex-Liverpool midfielder Adam Lallana looked at tributes to Jota outside Anfield on Thursday Thousands of tributes have been left by fans in the wake of the tragedy earlier this month A memorial wall with the message 'Forever 20' has been created neat Anfield Fans have been leaving a series of messages in honour of Jota and his younger brother Another local Cosme Silva, who coached Jota's father, said the humility shown by Jota and his brother had been passed down through the family. 'They're such good people. Always generous, always willing to help,' he said. 'He stayed grounded. The fame never went to his head.' Given Jota's role in Liverpool and Portugal's success, as well as stories revealing further insight into his character, formal and long-lasting tributes appear a certainty. Liverpool fans have already established a mural near Anfield, with fans leaving their own messages to a player who will be 'forever 20'. On Friday, it was announced that Liverpool are permanently retiring the Number 20 jersey from each of their club's teams to honour Jota 's memory. It is the first time in their history they have made such a decision and it is a reflection of the measure in which he was held. There was talk immediately after the fatal accident that Liverpool would retire the No 20 but they only took this step after consultation with his widow and his family. It is widely acknowledged that this is a unique honour for a unique player, simply because Liverpool have extended the retirement to all levels: from the men's first team, to the women's side and all male and female Academy teams The Reds will also honour Jota when they take to the pitch for the first time since his death in a pre-season friendly against Preston on Sunday. The friendly, which will be played at Deepdale rather than Anfield, will begin after a rendition of You'll Never Walk Alone, while representatives from Preston will lay a wreath in front of the away stand. The fans and the players - who will play in black armbands - will then observe a minute's silence in honour of Jota and Silva, while 'digital tributes' will play on screens around the pitch. The hosts have also created a 'commemorative edition of the matchday programme' which is set to feature tributes to both of the men.
