Blatter defiant after re-election

Sepp Blatter has issued a defiant defence of his tenure as FIFA president, insisting he is definitely not responsible for a perceived culture of corruption.

Blatter was elected for a fifth term as president on Friday, beating off the challenge of rival candidate Prince Ali bin Al Hussein to remain at the helm of world football s governing body.

The election took place against a backdrop of controversy, following news on Wednesday that nine FIFA officials, past and present, were among 14 people indicted on charges of racketeering, conspiracy and corruption by United States authorities.

Yet when asked at a news conference if he had helped foster a culture of corruption, Blatter responded: Definitely not. We try, always, and in my tenure of office during these …

Manchester United linked with Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Tanguy Ndombele

Manchester United are interested in signing Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Tanguy Ndombele next summer, according to . It has been reported by the Italian news outlet that United have identified Ndombele as a potential replacement for Paul Pogba.

Pogba is out of contract at United at the end of the season, and talks over a new deal between the France international midfielder’s representatives and the Red Devils are going on. However, United are making plans in case Pogba leaves, and fellow French midfielder Ndombele is one of the players on their shortlist.

Ndombele has been on the books of Spurs since 2019. The former Lyon star has not played well consistently for the North London club, but he is still only 24 and can only get better in the coming years.

Ashley Cole reunited with Frank Lampard at Derby County

England and Chelsea great Ashley Cole has linked up with his former team-mate Frank Lampard by joining Derby County until the end of the season.

Cole had been playing in Major League Soccer in the United States until his LA Galaxy contract expired at the end of last year.

The 38-year-old left-back has enjoyed a distinguished career at the very top in football, spending his best years with Arsenal and Chelsea, winning three Premier League titles, seven FA Cups and one Champions League.

He is also the sixth most-capped England international of all time, having played 107 times for his country between 2001 and 2014.

Ashley Cole is a Ram.

— Derby County (@dcfcofficial)

Lampard played alongside him for many years with Chelsea and England, …

Germany want ´to be among the best in the world again´, says Flick ahead of Italy test

Hansi Flick says Germany want to be among the best in the world again as his side kick off their Qatar 2022 World Cup preparations in the Nations League against Italy.

Since defeat at Euro 2020 to England in the final match of the Joachim Low era Germany have gone unbeaten under their new coach.

That rich vein of form faces its sternest test yet in the shape of the incumbent European champions, who represent a major threat despite failing to reach Qatar 2022 themselves.

But speaking about the mood within his squad, Flick appears unfazed and says his team are ready to claim back their place at the summit of world football.

The situation has been clear since the first meeting, he stated in his pre-match press conference.  We want to be among the best i…

Solskjaer ´sure´ Man Utd would win as Red Devils boss defends match-winning Ronaldo after comeback

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was sure Manchester United would beat Atalanta after match-winner Cristiano Ronaldo completed a dramatic Champions League comeback on Wednesday.

Ronaldo was the hero again at Old Trafford, where United overturned a two-goal deficit to stun visiting Atalanta 3-2 on matchday three in Group F.

United trailed 2-0 before the half-hour mark in Manchester after Mario Pasalic and Merih Demiral shocked the Theatre of Dreams.

Reeling after a 4-2 Premier League defeat at Leicester City last time out and just two wins in their previous seven games, the Red Devils were given a glimmer of hope when Marcus Rashford pulled a goal back eight minutes into the second half – the club s 300th strike in all competitions under Solskjaer.

He is INEVITABLE�…

PSV sign Leipzig´s Mvogo on two-year loan

RB Leipzig goalkeeper Yvon Mvogo has joined PSV on a two-year loan deal, the Eredivisie club have confirmed.

Mvogo, 26, has made 19 appearances for Leipzig since joining from Young Boys in 2017.

The twice-capped Switzerland international has also signed a contract extension running until 2023 with his parent club.

Mvogo was an unused substitute for the majority of Leipzig s run to the semi-finals of the Champions League, serving as understudy to Peter Gulacsi. He played once from the start during the 2-2 group stage draw against Benfica.

PSV sporting director John de Jong explained signing Mvogo was motivated in part by regular number one, Netherlands international Jeroen Zoet, expressing a desire to leave.

There is a new

Gabriel Jesus has ‘changed our world’ – Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta

Mikel Arteta has praised Gabriel Jesus for bringing “belief” and “energy” to Arsenal as the forward shone in victory at Sevilla.

Jesus continued his love affair with the Champions League with a fine goal and assist double as the Gunners won 2-1 at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium.

A piece of magic set up compatriot Gabriel Martinelli to open the scoring on the stroke of half-time before Jesus doubled the lead with a fine, curling finish of his own – although he later limped off having moments earlier held his hamstring.

The Brazil forward may not boast the most prolific strike record but he has now scored an impressive 23 goals in 41 appearances in Europe’s elite club competition.

Asked if Jesus had been signed from Manchester City because of…

Brentford end Chelsea’s mini-revival and continue Stamford Bridge success story

Chelsea fell to a third home defeat of the season as Brentford maintained their 100% winning record at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League with a deserved 2-0 victory.

Ethan Pinnock took advantage of non-existent marking to head the visitors in front shortly before the half-hour mark after Mauricio Pochettino’s side had failed to take advantage of a first half in which they dominated.

Thereafter there was little genuine attacking threat nor hope of salvation, as the hosts took a worrying backwards step towards the goal-shy, hesitant play that characterised the manager’s early games.

Robert Sanchez was embarrassed in added time after joining his team’s attack for a corner, failing to catch Neal Maupay in a foot race as he broke with the ball, allowing Brya…

Haaland must leave Dortmund to reach next level – former Bayern Munich defender Andersson

Erling Haaland must move on from Borussia Dortmund to take his game to the next level, according to former Bayern Munich defender Patrik Andersson.

Haaland joined Dortmund from Red Bull Salzburg after the Bundesliga side met his €20 million release clause in December 2019.

Since then, the 21-year-old has registered 50 goals in as many games in the German top flight, netting 1.12 times on average per 90 minutes.

Indeed, since the Norway international s Dortmund debut on January 18, 2020, only Robert Lewandowski (98) has scored more than Haaland (71) among players from Europe s top five leagues across all competitions.

But Andersson, who racked up over 200 Bundesliga appearances across spells with Bayern and Borussia Monchengladbach, believes Haaland mus…

Manchester United and Arsenal knocked out of the Carabao Cup

Manchester United’s woes continued as their defence of the Carabao Cup ended with a 3-0 loss to Newcastle at Old Trafford.

The fourth-round rematch between last season’s finalists saw Newcastle strike twice in the first half through Miguel Almiron and Lewis Hall.

Joe Willock then added a third just past the hour mark as Erik ten Hag’s side slumped to an eighth defeat in all competitions this season, and second 3-0 reverse at home in four days following Sunday’s loss to Manchester City.

UNITED!

— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC)

Arsenal were also eliminated, going down 3-1 at West Ham as Declan Rice returned to the London Stadium.

An early Ben White own-goal put the Hammers in front and finishes from Mohammed Kudus and Jarrod Bowen f…