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RTÉ News
4 days ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
The countdown is on for the Club World Cup, but does anyone care?
The countdown is on. It's now just seven days until the start of the competition that will answer the question on everyone's lips; who is the best football club in the world? Is it the Chelsea side that limped to a fifth-placed finish in the Premier League this season? Or perhaps Porto, who triumphantly battled to third in this year's Liga Portugal? If stylish catenaccio football is more your thing then look to Juventus, who finished fourth in Serie A. Not convinced by those European giants? Why not cast your gaze further afield to Auckland City FC, the team that currently sit behind Birkenhead United in the New Zealand Regional Leagues Northern League. Over 29 days, 32 teams will play out 64 games before the best team in the world is crowned and while we can't know who that will be yet, we know who it won't be. It won't be Premier League champions Liverpool, nor the winners of La Liga, Barcelona. Not even the Serie A champions Napoli, none of whom have been invited. But hey, there's Inter Miami who will play because, well, they have Lionel Messi. FIFA's efforts to expand the Club World Cup from a small mid-season distraction to a fully-fledged summer tournament has left many people unconvinced by the need for it and FIFA's motivation behind it all. Fundamentally, taking the Club World Cup from an annual six team kickabout between the winners of the six continental confederation tournaments to the bloated unwieldy structure facing us this summer is about money and influence. FIFA have long looked enviously at UEFA and the Champions League, wondering how they could claim a slice of that pie. With the World Cup only being held every four years, there's a long-standing desire within the organisation to come up with another huge money-spinning event and for them to exert a measure of influence on some of the biggest clubs in the world. But how do you create a major tournament from scratch? Well throwing a lot of money at it certainly helps. FIFA have put a pot of $1billion to be shared about the 32 teams with the winners taking home a pay cheque for $125million, while $525million of that billion will be shared out between the clubs just for turning up. That kind of money rivals the Champions League payouts and with this year's winners Paris Saint-Germain netting roughly $165million, FIFA have ensured that the Club World Cup is too rich for the invited clubs to ignore. Throwing this kind of cash around in an attempt to grow interest and legitimacy within the tournament is the only real move FIFA could have made but there's questions over their long-term ability to offer such a prize fund. The tournament looks likely to run at a loss for the organisers, who struggled to drum up interest among broadcasters when it came to the rights sales. With reports claiming that FIFA had initially set a target of broadcast revenue of $4billion, they were unable to attract bids anywhere near that mark and eventually agreed a deal with online streaming platform DAZN for the rights. Ticket sales have hardly been encouraging either, with The Athletic reporting on Wednesday that FIFA has been forced to slash prices for the tournament's opening fixture between Messi's Inter Miami and Egyptian team Al-Ahly. Soccer remains very much down the pecking order of sports in the US and with local fans shrugging their shoulders and a dynamic ticket price structure in place, the cost of admission to the tournament opener has slumped from $349 in December to just $55.75. Meanwhile a ticket for newly crowned European champions Paris Saint-Germain and Brazilian outfit Botafogo at the 90,000-seater Rose Bowl can be had for $33.45. Even that ticketing firesale may not be enough to spare organisers the sights of thousands of empty seats throughout the tournament. While major international soccer tournaments usually attract huge numbers of supporters from abroad, the Club World Cup looks likely to struggle, thanks in no small part to the policies of Donald Trump's government. FIFA's top brass would have had their collective heads in their hands on Wednesday when Trump announced a new travel ban on 12 nations, further deepening the sense of hostility felt at the border for travellers into the US. With teams from Mexico, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Morocco among those involved in the Club World Cup, travelling numbers are going to take a hit with supporters not wanting to risk disappearing into a private detention facility. Even fans currently residing in the US, particularly those of Mexican teams who would usually fill stadiums, may think twice before turning up en masse, given the seemingly never-ending footage of Trump's masked ICE agents snatching people off the street. We're left with the very real prospect of games being played in mostly empty stadiums by players frustrated about being there, concerned by burnout and fatigue related injuries that will come from going straight into a 32-team club tournament after a gruelling season. The footballer's union FIFPRO has been against the expanded Club World Cup since its announcement, launching a legal claim against FIFA over the unilateral creation of the tournament, citing concerns over player welfare. With players like Real Madrid star Kylian Mpappe speaking out about the lack of a meaningful break between the end of the season and the start of the tournament, there's the prospect of some players featuring in more than 80 games over the course of the season. Separately MLS team Seattle Sounders have been protesting their involvement in the tournament over what they say is a lack of fairness on player payments, wearing "Club World Ca$h Grab" t-shirts during their warm-up in a recent league game. Under the standing MLS collective bargaining agreement between the league, their bonus for the Club World Cup is capped at $1m for the entire team, meaning that players are likely to only receive 10% of the money their club get for their participation in the tournament. Indeed it seems that the only people truly happy with the event are club accountants and moneymen, adding to the sense of grubbiness surrounding the entire project. Football at the highest level has always been beholden to big money, but FIFA's newest innovation really lays that avarice bare. It's no coincidence that Real Madrid were willing to spend €10million on bringing Trent Alexander-Arnold to the club a month earlier than they had originally planned, given the financial incentives on offer. We have fans that won't be there, players that don't want to be there and clubs that are only there for the money. Despite all that there's still the chance that the Club World Cup could capture the public imagination. With no other major male international sporting event this summer, FIFA have timed the tournament to give them a captive audience. The early stages of the competition may struggle to attract eyeballs but as it progresses there is the prospect of some enticing fixtures. The clash between PSG and Atletico Madrid on 15 June is one of the earlier highlights while Bayern Munich and Boca Juniors meet a few days later in Miami. Manchester City and Real Madrid could easily meet in the first knockout round as could Bayern Munich and Chelsea. As the tournament gets into the higher stake games, we'll see just how serious the European teams are taking it. Gianni Infantino and his crew will be eager for the big stars to line out but with the tournament kicking off just two weeks after the end of the European season, they may have to wait sometime to see the household names start. FIFA are desperate for the Club World Cup to be a success and given everything they've invested in it, they need this tournament to start strongly and shake off the negative sentiment surrounding it. Whether that's a realistic prospect remains to be seen.
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Champions League giants could be hit with three-month stadium ban for refusing to let Cristiano Ronaldo play there
PORTUGUESE giants Benfica could be hit with a three-month stadium ban and a fine after they threatened to refuse to host Portugal national team matches. 3 Benfica face a three month stadium ban Credit: Getty 3 The club have threatened to deny Cristiano Ronaldo and the Portuguese national team access to their stadium amid complaints about officiating in Portugal Credit: Shutterstock Editorial The Champions League club lashed out at "serious events" in the late rounds of the Portuguese Cup and Liga Portugal season that saw them miss out on both trophies to Sporting Lisbon. Benfica's statement requested disciplinary reviews against VAR officials from the Portuguese Cup final and the immediate release of audio recordings from the match. While they also detailed that they would inform the FPF that they will not host national team matches at the Estadio da Luz "until integrity prevails in domestic competitions" - barring That vow could prove costly to the two-time Champions League winners, who face a ban and a fine if they follow through with the threat. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL That's because FPF rules state that any club that refuses to make their stadium available to the national team "without justified cause" will be subject to a penalty. That penalty consists of a stadium ban running from one to three months and fine. At present no action has been taken against Benfica. Benfica narrowly missed out on the Primeira Liga title by two points following a 1-1 draw with Braga on the final day of the season. Most read in Football Benfica's requests Take a look at the action that Benfica have requested is taken following their complaint about officiating in Portugal... To request disciplinary review against the refereeing and VAR team of the Cup Final. To request disciplinary review against players Matheus Reis and Maxi Araújo for the multiple attacks on player Andrea Belotti. Demand the immediate release of the audio recordings between the Referee and VAR from the Portuguese Cup Final, as well as the scores given to them. Make a statement to FIFA, UEFA and IFAB regarding the illicit application of the VAR protocol in Portugal, which has called into question integrity. Demand that the newly elected Refereeing Council take a public position, presenting concrete measures and solutions to correct its actions, under penalty of not being able to continue in office. Suspend participation in the Centralisation League working groups and request an urgent hearing with the Government, informing it that, at this time, the conditions to move forward with this process are not being met. Inform the Portuguese Football Federation that, until integrity prevails in domestic competitions, Sport Lisboa e Benfica will be unavailable to host matches of the National Team in its stadium. Sport Lisboa e Benfica demands that the next season be decided on the pitch, in a transparent manner, which did not happen in the sports season that is now finished. We always assume our responsibilities. We demand that those who oversee and govern Portuguese football also assume theirs. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS While they fell to a controversial 3-1 defeat to Sporting in the Potuguese Cup final too, conceding in the 11th minute of injury time before shipping two more goals in extra-time. Club president Rui Costa slammed the officials after the conclusion of the cup final. Cristiano Ronaldo Jr, 14, given dad's number and copies iconic pose as he makes Portugal debut with grandma watching He said: "Benfica lost, I accept that responsibility, but we have to look at Portuguese football. We definitely have to look at Portuguese football." Adding: "So, let those in charge of refereeing, let those in charge of the referees analyse this game and see how a VAR that can cancel out two situations for Benfica can't see two plays like this. "He's probably going to be rewarded now and become the leader of VAR in "I repeat: you've rarely heard me talk about referees, but there are situations that go beyond that. I've tried, I've tried to be a president of an institution the size of Benfica that is responsible and tries to help Portuguese football in this regard. "But there are situations that go beyond all limits, because these aren't mistakes that we should be discussing here: whether it was a foul, whether it wasn't a foul, whether it was a penalty, whether it wasn't a penalty. "We're talking about two clear, obvious assaults, not seen either by the linesman, who was standing next to the play, or by the referee, or by the VAR." Benfica are currently preparing for the Club World Cup. 3 Club President Rui Costa didn't hold back in his assessment of the Portuguese officials Credit: Getty
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Champions League giants could be hit with three-month stadium ban for refusing to let Cristiano Ronaldo play there
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) PORTUGUESE giants Benfica could be hit with a three-month stadium ban and a fine after they threatened to refuse to host Portugal national team matches. Benfica issued a remarkable statement targeting the standard of officiating across Portuguese club competition last month, risking backlash from the Portuguese Footballing Federation (FPF). Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Benfica face a three month stadium ban Credit: Getty 3 The club have threatened to deny Cristiano Ronaldo and the Portuguese national team access to their stadium amid complaints about officiating in Portugal Credit: Shutterstock Editorial The Champions League club lashed out at "serious events" in the late rounds of the Portuguese Cup and Liga Portugal season that saw them miss out on both trophies to Sporting Lisbon. Benfica's statement requested disciplinary reviews against VAR officials from the Portuguese Cup final and the immediate release of audio recordings from the match. While they also detailed that they would inform the FPF that they will not host national team matches at the Estadio da Luz "until integrity prevails in domestic competitions" - barring Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates from the ground. That vow could prove costly to the two-time Champions League winners, who face a ban and a fine if they follow through with the threat. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL AZT TO CHANGE World Cup stadium looks unrecognisable with cranes on pitch & seats ripped up That's because FPF rules state that any club that refuses to make their stadium available to the national team "without justified cause" will be subject to a penalty. That penalty consists of a stadium ban running from one to three months and fine. At present no action has been taken against Benfica. Benfica narrowly missed out on the Primeira Liga title by two points following a 1-1 draw with Braga on the final day of the season. Benfica's requests Take a look at the action that Benfica have requested is taken following their complaint about officiating in Portugal... To request disciplinary review against the refereeing and VAR team of the Cup Final. To request disciplinary review against players Matheus Reis and Maxi Araújo for the multiple attacks on player Andrea Belotti. Demand the immediate release of the audio recordings between the Referee and VAR from the Portuguese Cup Final, as well as the scores given to them. Make a statement to FIFA, UEFA and IFAB regarding the illicit application of the VAR protocol in Portugal, which has called into question integrity. Demand that the newly elected Refereeing Council take a public position, presenting concrete measures and solutions to correct its actions, under penalty of not being able to continue in office. Suspend participation in the Centralisation League working groups and request an urgent hearing with the Government, informing it that, at this time, the conditions to move forward with this process are not being met. Inform the Portuguese Football Federation that, until integrity prevails in domestic competitions, Sport Lisboa e Benfica will be unavailable to host matches of the National Team in its stadium. Sport Lisboa e Benfica demands that the next season be decided on the pitch, in a transparent manner, which did not happen in the sports season that is now finished. We always assume our responsibilities. We demand that those who oversee and govern Portuguese football also assume theirs. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS While they fell to a controversial 3-1 defeat to Sporting in the Potuguese Cup final too, conceding in the 11th minute of injury time before shipping two more goals in extra-time. Club president Rui Costa slammed the officials after the conclusion of the cup final. Cristiano Ronaldo Jr, 14, given dad's number and copies iconic pose as he makes Portugal debut with grandma watching He said: "Benfica lost, I accept that responsibility, but we have to look at Portuguese football. We definitely have to look at Portuguese football." Adding: "So, let those in charge of refereeing, let those in charge of the referees analyse this game and see how a VAR that can cancel out two situations for Benfica can't see two plays like this. "He's probably going to be rewarded now and become the leader of VAR in Portugal, which is an extraordinary thing. "I repeat: you've rarely heard me talk about referees, but there are situations that go beyond that. I've tried, I've tried to be a president of an institution the size of Benfica that is responsible and tries to help Portuguese football in this regard. "But there are situations that go beyond all limits, because these aren't mistakes that we should be discussing here: whether it was a foul, whether it wasn't a foul, whether it was a penalty, whether it wasn't a penalty. "We're talking about two clear, obvious assaults, not seen either by the linesman, who was standing next to the play, or by the referee, or by the VAR." Benfica are currently preparing for the Club World Cup.
Daily Mirror
31-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
RB Leipzig name their price for Benjamin Sesko as Arsenal eye stunning transfer
Arsenal are in the market for a goalscorer this summer and sporting director Andrea Berta has held talks with RB Leipzig chief Marcel Schafer over a deal for Benjamin Sesko Arsenal have reportedly opened talks with RB Leipzig over a £75million deal to sign Benjamin Sesko, with Mikel Arteta looking to strengthen his attack this summer. A new striker is top of his shopping list, with the Gunners missing a prolific goalscorer. Kai Havertz was Arsenal's top scorer in the Premier League last season with nine strikes. Only Manchester United and relegated Southampton had a top scorer who managed less goals, while Sesko netted 13 times in the Bundesliga for Leipzig. According to a report from the Daily Mail, Arsenal's new sporting director Andrea Berta has held talks with Leipzig chief Marcel Schafer about Sesko. It is claimed that Leipzig want an initial £75m fee for the 21-year-old. And Arteta recently claimed that the club could break their transfer record this summer, with Declan Rice's £100m move from West Ham in 2023 Arsenal's current record signing "The budget is like when you have your wedding: you plan your wedding with your wife and you give her a budget and it's never less, it's always more," Arteta said. "When you build a house, it's always more. Normally this happens. You prepare for different scenarios. Then unfortunate things happen. There are so many variables that can happen but there is a budget. "There is always an idea of what we can do, what we can improve, what the priorities are going to be and then let's see if we can do it. It's always a 'we' I think it's always a decision that all of us have to come together. "Then obviously in certain aspects, the club, the financial aspects, whether it's the strategy or this or that, they have a bigger say than me because I don't want to have an opinion on that. I would have probably a reference but not a strong opinion. "When it's more technical or tactical aspects of how I think that player is going to now emerge and be cohesive with the group of players that we have and where I see them now developing and what we want to do next with another player, of course it's more in between the sporting director, in this case Andrea, myself and all the scouting department." It is claimed that Arsenal have also held talks with Sporting Lisbon over Viktor Gyokeres, with the 26-year-old another striker who has caught the eye of several clubs across Europe. Gyokeres netted 39 goals in 33 Liga Portugal games last season as Sporting won the league. Berta is said to be a big fan of Gyokeres, but the likes of Chelsea and Juventus are also said to be interested in the former Coventry star.
Daily Mirror
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Viktor Gyokeres' girlfriend makes transfer promise as Arsenal chiefs 'fly out'
Arsenal have reportedly ramped up their pursuit of Viktor Gyokeres but the Sporting CP striker's loved ones, including his famous girlfriend, have voiced their preference for him to remain in Portugal Viktor Gyokeres' actress girlfriend has promised to convince the striker to stay at Sporting CP this summer. That is despite reports elsewhere stating that Arsenal chiefs flew out to Lisbon over the weekend in an attempt to push ahead with their signing of the 26-year-old. Gyokeres won and converted a crucial penalty during Sunday's Taca de Portugal final against Benfica to send the game to extra-time, before Sporting defeated their bitter rivals 3-1. The Sweden international's girlfriend, Ines Aguiar, was spotted in attendance wearing a Sporting jersey. Aguiar, who hails from Lisbon herself, was at one point swarmed by fans and had to field questions about Gyokeres' future. Portuguese outlet A Bola claims the social media influencer said in the viral social media clip that she 'promises' to try to persuade her superstar boyfriend to stay with the club for a third season. Correio da Manha on Tuesday reported, however, that Arsenal at the same time had sent representatives to Lisbon for talks with Gyokeres' agent over a deal. The report claims the Gunners presented the Portuguese champions with a bid worth €70million (£58.66m), while offering the forward a five-year contract worth €7m (£5.87m) per-year and a signing bonus of €12m (£10.06m). Arsenal have been strongly linked with Gyokeres in recent months as they look to sign a clinical striker after a disappointing season where Mikel Arteta 's side clearly lacked firepower. While other targets such as Benjamin Sesko have also been reported as being on Arsenal's radar, new sporting director Andrea Berta is understood to prefer the signing of Gyokeres. With negotiations now said to be ramping up, it remains unclear whether Gyokeres himself is open to a move to north London. The forward, who has netted an astonishing 97 goals in 102 games over two seasons for Sporting, played coy when asked about the Arsenal links ahead of Sunday's final - but did not rule out a move. The former Coventry City and Brighton man was asked to choose between London and Lisbon by Portuguese publication A Bola in an attempt to bait him into revealing his summer transfer plans. He responded: "I prefer Lisbon because I live here now. And yes, I like living here,' hinting that his future lies in the Portuguese capital, or merely that he's reluctant to give anything away. But it appears his loved ones are pushing for the Swede to stay put. Like his girlfriend, Gyokeres' uncle, Chris, recently voiced his preference and claimed the family had decided in a meeting that he would not leave this summer. Wearing a Sporting scarf and jersey on the same day that Gyokeres found the net to seal the Liga Portugal title for Sporting, Chris began by saying: "I'm super happy, this is amazing. We were here last year, it's the same spirit, the same people, the same atmosphere. Absolutely fantastic! Beyond words!" Chris said when questioned if they felt a connection to Sporting: 'Yes, very much... yesterday at dinner we decided that he has to stay.' And when asked whether Gyokeres will stay at the club this summer, he replied: 'Yes, we think so.' Those comments were later put to Gyokeres, who downplayed them by saying: "They [his family] really like Portugal; I think they want to be here and enjoy the city, the good weather, and all the atmosphere. 'But it's football and that's another thing. We'll see what happens. Yes [I would like to win a third title with Sporting], but we'll see. I don't know what will happen in the summer... let's see what happens."
