Roc Nation, an entertainment agency run by rapper and record producer Jay-Z, took out a full-page ad in La Grazetta Sport, an Italian publication, to criticize local fans for making monkey noises to criticize Inter Milan player Romelu Lukaku. Lukaku, a Belgian of Congolese descent, is a Roc Nation client and was the first Premier League player to sign with the agency in 2018.

The incident which incited the ad occurred Tuesday during a game between Inter Milan and Juventus, when Lukaku scored a game-tying goal in stoppage time to force a draw in the Italian Cup semifinal. Fans in attendance made monkey noises following the goal.

“In professional football, Black players have been subjected to hatred during professional football games,” the ad stated. “The hated has displayed itself in the form of monkey chants, racial slurs and banana peels tossed at the best players in the world, as the world watches, as the children watch, as the players’ families watch.”

The most recent incident in European soccer follows a long string of racist attacks on players in the sport’s history. In 2020, three black players on England’s national team received racist abuse online for making errors in the final of the European Championship.

This is not the first time that Lukaku has endured racially charged abuse, as Italian fans have used similar monkey chants throughout his career, notably in a 2019 incident, which received similar condemnation from league officials.

“History repeats. Been through it in 2019 … and 2023 again … I hope the league really take actions for real this time because this beautiful game should be enjoyed by everyone,” Lukaku said on Instagram.

Roc Nation’s ad was an attempt by the agency to speak directly to fans in defense of its client, who has played for Inter Milan in two stints since 2019.

“In a game that unites people all over the world as fans, we should only witness the best of humanity,” the ad read. “There is no circumstances where racism is tolerated. Italy is better than this. We are all better than this.”

Cristiano Ronaldo came off the bench for Juventus‘ 2-2 draw against Udinese in their Series A opener on Sunday. This decision comes amid speculation regarding Ronaldo’s future with the club.

Ronaldo came on as a substitute for Alvaro Morata at the 60th-minute mark. Morata was given a yellow card for excessive celebration after he thought he’d scored the match-winner only for VAR to rule it void for offside.

Juventus vice president Pavel Nedved told DAZN before the match that Ronaldo’s start on the bench was a mutual decision. “It was a shared decision with the player,” Nedved told Sky Sport Italia. “We are at the beginning of the season, and our conditioning is not at the highest level, not just Cristiano but the entire squad.” Nedved then added: “Cristiano remains at Juventus.”

“Ronaldo is fine,” Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri told Sky Sport Italia. “I spoke with him and, thinking about the match and everyone’s condition, I told him: ‘Come start on the bench because we’re going to need you in the second half.’ He made himself available and did well.”

Allegri dismissed reports on Saturday claiming Ronaldo could leave Turin this summer, claiming the former Real Madrid player had told him he was going to stay.

“He’s told me that he’s staying at Juventus so we can close this issue,” Allegri said in his pre-match press conference on Saturday. “Ronaldo has always trained well and has always been available. I’ve read the rumors in the newspapers, but he has never expressed his desire to leave Juventus.”

The Super League is officially dead.

On April 18, the European Super League was announced with 12 founding football teams. The 12 teams were top teams from across three different football leagues in Europe. As of Wednesday, the project is no longer happening. The Super League consisted of founding members Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City, Tottenham, Atlético, Inter Milan, AC Milan, Juventus, FC Barcelona and Real Madrid.

The European Super League announcement was met with intense fan backlash and legislative pressure. The UEFA held a press conference condemning the European Super League and threatened to ban players from the participating teams from playing in this year’s European Championship and next year’s World Cup.

Two days after its initial creation, six founding clubs withdrew from the proposed league. Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City and Tottenham withdrew from the project due to pressure. It was a death blow to the proposed project.

Following the departures of the English clubs, the European Super League announced that it was suspending the project. “Given the current circumstances, we shall reconsider the most appropriate steps to reshape the project, always giving in mind our goals of offering the fans the best experience possible while enhancing solidarity payments for the entire football community,” the statement read.

On Wednesday, four more clubs withdrew from the project. Atlético, Inter Milan, AC Milan and Juventus.

Atlético released a statement announcing its official departure from the project. “Atlético de Madrid’s Board of Directors, which met on Wednesday morning, has decided to formally communicate to the Super League and the rest of the founding clubs its decision not to finally formalize its adhesion to the project,” the statement read.

Inter Milan released an official statement confirming their departure. “FC Internazionale Milano confirms that the Club is no longer part of the Super League project,” the statement said.

AC Milan then released a statement announcing its withdrawal from the project. The Italian club said, “The voice and concerns of supporters throughout the world about the Super League project have been strong and clear, and our Club must remain sensitive and attentive to the opinion of those who love this sport”.

Juventus was the next club that left. “While Juventus remains convinced of the soundness of the project’s sport, commercial and legal premises, it believes that at present there are limited chances that the project be completed in the form originally conceived,” the club said. “Juventus remains committed to pursuing the creation of long-term value for the Company and the entire football industry.”

As of now, only FC Barcelona and Real Madrid have not officially left the league.

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin had some heated words about the recent news surrounding the creation of the European Super League on the weekend.

Ceferin’s words were targeted towards Juventus chairman Andrea Agnelli and Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward. Both Juventus and Manchester United are two of the 12 clubs that are breaking away from their respective leagues to form the European Super League.

During a Sunday press conference, Ceferin referred to both of them as “snakes” before getting more in-depth.

If I start with Ed Woodward,” said Ceferin. “He called me last Thursday evening to say that he was very satisfied with the reforms and fully supportive. The only thing he wants to talk about was Financial Fair Play. Obviously, he had already signed something else.” 

“Andrea Agnelli is the biggest disappointment of all,” Ceferin said. “I have never seen a person that would lie so many times, so persistently as he did it is unbelievable.”

The UEFA president vowed that there would be repercussions towards the clubs and the players.

“The players who will play in the teams that might play in the closed league, will be banned from playing in the world cup and Europe” Ceferin said. “So, they will not be able to represent their national teams at any matches.”

As the January transfer window deadline approaches, several deals are completed or underway. 

Premier League champions Liverpool signed defender Ben Davies from Preston North End. Davies will be a backup option for Liverpool’s defense after several of the club’s first team defenders are all sidelined with injuries. 

In addition to Davies, Liverpool are reportedly in talks to sign another defender on loan with option to buy, Ozan Kabak, from Bundesliga club Schalke. The Turkish defender has been reportedly in the club’s consideration for a long time. The Reds were also linked with Marseille defender Duje Caleta Car, but the move reportedly stalled. 

Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli is rumored to be in talks with Ligue 1 club PSG to seal a move before the deadline. PSG head coach and Tottenham former head coach Mauricio Pochettino was reportedly pushing for the move to happen. However, there are reports that claim that the move is off and that Alli will stay at Tottenham for the rest of the season.

Arsenal recently signed Real Madrid midfielder Martin Odegaard on loan after the young midfielder did not get enough playing time at Real Madrid. Also, while not identifying any other specific transfer targets, Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta claimed that he is optimistic of new arrivals before the deadline.  

The Gunners are linked with Southamption’s Ryan Bertrand, Marseille’s Jordan Amavi and Crystal Palace’s Patrick Van Aanholt. 

La Liga club Sevilla signed midfielder Alejandro Papu Gomez from Serie A club Atalanta. Gomez left the club after falling out with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. Meanwhile, Atalanta signed midfielder Viktor Kovalenko from Shakhtar Donetsk. 

Juventus defender Daniele Rugani completed a loan move to Serie A club Cagliari. Rugani recently played in Ligue 1 club Rennes on loan from Juventus. Rugani struggled to get playing time at the French club. 

Bayern Munich’s promising star Joshua Zirkzee completed a loan move to Serie A club Parma. 

Cristiano Ronaldo’s sister, Elma Aveiro, posted a controversial photo of her brother and FC Barcelona star Lionel Messi on Instagram after Juventus’ win over FC Barcelona in the Champions League.

The photo shows Messi kneeling down in front of Ronaldo symbolizing Ronaldo’s win over his eternal rival Messi after his team defeated the Catalan club. Some claimed that Messi appears to be worshiping Ronaldo in the photo. The photo raised controversy regarding the two players’ rivalry.

After the Juventus match, Ronaldo claimed, “I have always had a cordial relationship with Messi. As I have said before, for 12, 13, 14 years [I have been] sharing prizes with him.”

“I never saw him as a rival. He always tried the best for his team, and I tried the best for mine. I always got on well with him. I am sure he will say the same if you ask him. But we know in football, people always look for a rivalry to create more excitement.”

Ronaldo and Messi’s never ending competition is probably the sport’s most intense rivalry of all time. The rivalry reached a high point when Ronaldo was a Real Madrid player and both players were playing for the two best teams in the world. 

Both players have shared the sport’s most prestigious awards for the past decade. Ronaldo won four Golden Boots and five Ballon D’Ors. On the other hand, Messi won six Golden Boots and six Ballon D’Ors. Also, both players won multiple awards with their teams. 

Messi and Ronaldo are regarded by many as the two best soccer players of all time and their competition is a heavily discussed topic in the media. Ronaldo has played in different leagues across Europe, while Messi is a one club having played in FC Barcelona for all his career.

While Ronaldo claimed that a rivalry between himself and Messi does not exist, his sister’s photo says the exact opposite. 

S.S. Lazio joined Group F winner Borussia Dortmund to advance to the Champions League round of 16. 

Lazio advanced to the next round after a draw against Club Brugge, 2-2. In the first half, Lazio’s Joaquin Correa scored the first goal followed by the equalizer from Club Brugge’s Ruud Vormer. Before the end of the first half, Lazio was awarded a penalty scored by Ciro Immobile. In the second half, Club Brugge’s Eduard Sobol was sent off following a second yellow card. Afterward, Club Brugge’s Hans Vanaken scored the equalizer. 

Manchester United crashed out of the competition after suffering a defeat against RB Leipzig, 3-2. In the first half, RB Leipzig’s Angelino scored an early goal followed by a goal from A. Haidara. In the second half, RB Leipzig substitute J. Kluviert scored the third goal. Manchester United was awarded a late penalty scored by Bruno Fernandes. Shortly after, Manchester United substitute Paul Pogba scored the second. 

Juventus defeated FC Barcelona, 3-0 to top Group G. In the first half, Juventus was awarded a penalty scored by Cristiano Ronaldo. Afterward, young star Weston McKennie scored the second goal. In the second half, Juventus was awarded a second penalty, scored again by Cristiano Ronaldo. FC Barcelona had some chances to score but the players were not clinical enough. 

Borussia Dortmund defeated Zenit St. Petersberg, 2-1. In the first half, Zenit’s Sebastian Driussi scored his side’s only goal in the game. In the second half, Dortmund’s Lukasz Piszczek scored the equalizer followed by the winner from Axel Witsel.

Chelsea’s game against Krasnodar ended with a draw, 1-1. In the first half, Krasnodar’s Remy Cabella scored the first goal. Shortly after, the Blue was awarded a penalty scored by Jorginho. 

Sevilla defeated Rennes, 3-1. In the first half, Sevilla defender Jules Kounde scored the first goal followed by a goal from Youssef En Nesyri. In the second half, En Nesyri scored the third goal and his second in the game. Shortly after, Rennes was awarded a late penalty scored by Georginio Rutter.  

The real drama of the night occurred during the PSG and Istanbul Basaksehir fixture. The game was called off following a racist incident that involved an official and Istanbul Basaksehir’s assistant coach, Pierre Webo. One of the match officials reportedly used a racial slur to call Basaksehir’s assistant coach. The fixture is postponed to Dec. 9. 

Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund booked its spot in the UEFA Champions League last 16 after a draw against SS Lazio. 

Before the end of the first half, Borussia Dortmund’s Raphael Guerreiro scored the game’s first goal. In the second half, Lazio was awarded a penalty which Ciro Immobile scored. After this draw, Lazio will have to compete with Club Brugge to qualify for the round of 16. 

Club Brugge defeated Zenit St. Petersburg, 3-0. Club Brugge’s Charles De Ketelaere scored a goal in the first half. In the second half, the Belgian club was awarded a penalty scored by Hans Vanaken followed by the third goal from Noa Lang. 

Manchester United, PSG and RB Leipzig are all fighting for the top spot in Group H. PSG defeated Manchester United, 3-1. PSG’s Neymar scored an early goal followed by the equalizer from United’s Marcus Rashford. In the second half, PSG’s Marquinhos scored to give his side an upper hand in the game. Shortly after, United player Fred was sent off after a second yellow card, creating further difficulties for his team. In the added time, Neymar scored the third goal. 

RB Leipzig defeated Istanbul Basaksehir, 4-3. Leipzig’s Yussuf Poulsen scored the first goal followed by a goal from Nordi Mukiele. Before halftime, Başakşehir Irfan Kahveci scored a goal. In the second half, Leipzig’s Dani Olmo scored his side’s third goal followed by two more goals from Kahveci. In the added time, Leipzig’s Alexander Sorloth scored to hand side a victory against the Turkish club.

Goal hero Olivier Giroud scored four goals to help Chelsea defeat Sevilla 4-0. Giroud is the oldest player to score a hat trick in the competition.

Speaking of goals, Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 750th career goal in Juventus’ 3-0 win against Dynamo Kyiv. Juventus players Federico Chiesa and Alvaro Morata also scored.

Messi less FC Barcelona managed to defeat Ferencvaros, 3-0. Antoine Griezmann scored the first goal followed by a goal from Martin Braithwaite. Afterward, FC Barcelona was awarded a penalty which Ousmane Dembele scored. 

Russian club Krasnodar received its first win in the competition after defeating Ligue 1 club Rennes,1-0. Krasnodar’s Marcus Berg scored the only goal in the game.

In Tuesday’s Champions League action, Juventus, Chelsea, Sevilla and FC Barcelona all won their games to book a spot in the next round of the competition.

Despite Messi’s absence, FC Barcelona defeated Dynamo Kyiv, 4-0. The Catalan club were very quiet in the first half. In the second half, all the goals were produced. Serginho Dest, arguably the best player on the pitch during the match, scored the first goal. Martin Braithwaite scored two goals including one penalty. Substitute Antoine Griezmann scored the fourth goal. 

Juventus defeated the Hungarian club Ferencvaros, 2-1. Ferencvaros’ Myrto Uzuni scored an early goal, followed by an equalizer from Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo. The game was a draw until the 90th minute, but Juventus’ Alvaro Morata scored a header in the added minutes.

Chelsea defeated Rennes, 2-1. Chelsea’s Callum Hudson Odoi scored the game’s first goal, then Rennes’ Serhou Guirassy scored a late equalizer. Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud scored the winner in the added time. 

Sevilla defeated Krasnodar, 2-1. Sevilla’s Ivan Rakitic scored an early goal followed by an equalizer from Krasnodar’s Wamberto. Sevilla’s Munir El Haddadi scored the winner in the added time. 

Manchester United defeated Istanbul Basaksehir, 4-1. United’s Bruno Fernandes scored two early goals. Then, United was awarded a penalty scored by Marcus Rashford. Basaksehir’s Deniz Turuc scored a goal in the second half followed by a goal from United’s Daniel James.

PSG defeated RB Leipzig, 1-0 after PSG were awarded an early penalty, which Neymar Jr. scored. 

Lazio defeated Zenit St. Petersberg, 3-1. Lazio’s Ciro Immobile scored an early goal followed by a goal from Marco Parolo. Afterward, Zenit’s Artem Dzyuba scored a goal. In the second half, Lazio was awarded a penalty which Immobile scored. 

Borussia Dortmund defeated Club Brugge, 3-0. Dortmund’s Erling Haaland scored the first goal followed by a goal from Jadon Sancho before half time. In the second half, Haaland scored his side’s third goal.

Football star Cristiano Ronaldo could leave Serie A club Juventus next year.

The Portuguese legend left La Liga giants Real Madrid in 2018 to join Juventus. Ronaldo has also played for Premier League club Manchester United and Portuguese club Sporting CP in the past. 

At Juventus, Ronaldo won the Serie A twice and the Italian Super Cup once. He also scored 71 goals for the club. So far, Ronaldo scored six goals in Serie A this season and Juventus is currently fifth in the Serie A table. 

Several clubs have been linked to signing Ronaldo next year including Ligue 1 club PSG and his former club Manchester United. PSG’s sporting director Leonardo responded to the Ronaldo transfer rumors and told PSGTV, “Today in football we do not know what will happen. Maybe tomorrow Cristiano Ronaldo wakes up and says I want to go play elsewhere. Who can buy him? It’s a closed circle. PSG enters this circle. Usually, it is about opportunities, situations.The transfer window, we have to prepare for it and that’s what we do. We have our priorities, our lists, but something unforeseen can happen.”

Leonardo’s comments indicate that a Ronaldo to PSG move could possibly happen in the near future. If Ronaldo does seal a transfer to PSG, he would join PSG’s superstar forwards Kylian Mbappe and Neymar. 

A return to Manchester United move could also happen. Ronaldo was a renowned player for United, winning the Premier League three times, the Champions League and the 2008 Ballon D’or. Manchester United 

Ronaldo’s contract with Juventus officially expires in 2022 and it is unclear if the player will renew it beyond that year. Like many other football clubs, Juventus is greatly affected by the COVID-19 crisis and so selling Ronaldo would enable the club to save a lot of money due to the player’s very high wages. 

The UEFA  Champions League is back in action Tuesday with the likes of Real Madrid, Juventus, and Paris St-Germain ready to play.

Los Blancos will continue their search for a first European win of the season when they travel to Galatasaray, while local rivals Atletico Madrid host Bayer Leverkusen.

Tottenham Hotspur will look to bounce back from a 7-2 defeat to Bayern Munich last time out when they host Red Star Belgrade, and the Bundesliga champions travel to Olympiakos.

Juventus will welcome Lokomotiv Moscow to Turin, while PSG take on Club Brugge in Belgium.

Here’s the full Tuesday schedule.

Shakhtar Donetsk vs Dinamo Zagreb (BT Sport ESPN), 12:55 p.m. EST

Atletico Madrid vs Bayer Leverkusen (TNT USA), 5:55 p.m. EST

Club Brugge vs Paris Saint-Germain (BT Sport Extra), 3 p.m. EST

Galatasaray vs Real Madrid (BT Sport ESPN/TUDN USA), 3 p.m. EST

Tottenham Hotspur vs Red Star Belgrade (BT Sport 3), 3 p.m. EST

Olympiakos vs Bayern Munich, 3 p.m. EST

Manchester City vs Atalanta (BT Sport 2), 3 p.m. EST

Juventus vs Lokomotiv Moscow (BT Sport Extra, Galavision) 3 p.m. EST

Here are the odds for each match.

Shakhtar Donetsk (71-100), Draw (13-5), Dinamo Zagreb (43-10)

Atletico Madrid (61-100), Draw (11-4), Bayer Leverkusen (21-4)

Club Brugge (53-10), Draw (31-10), Paris Saint-Germain (27-50)

Galatasaray (23-5), Draw (31-10), Real Madrid (59-100)

Tottenham Hotspur (6-25), Draw (51-10), Red Star Belgrade (23-2)

Olympiakos (13-2), Draw (81-20), Bayern Munich (19-50)

Manchester City (19-100), Draw (32-5), Atalanta (25-2)

Juventus (21-100), Draw (27-5), Lokomotiv Moscow (14-1)

Five-time Champions League winner Cristiano Ronaldo, formerly of Real Madrid and now with Juventus, pointed out this week that money cannot buy trophies.

The Portuguese star took a stab at his former Spanish rivals FC Barcelona and how buying players is not all that it takes to win the Champions League.

“I’ll use the example of Barcelona: look at how much money they have invested in the past five years in players and they have not won a Champions League,” Ronaldo said, according to ESPN. “That is not how this works. Juve has brought in very good reinforcements and they are a team who are going to fight to win, as they always do.”

Barca have splashed some cash this summer with the major signings of Ajax’s Frankie de Jong and Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann. On the other side, Juventus have made signings as well but without spending as much as Barca. Juve signed Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey on a free transfer, and signed Ajax’s 19-year-old superstar central defender Matthijs de Ligt. Meanwhile, Ronaldo believes his team’s signings will make the difference compared to Barcelona’s for the upcoming season.

“But it all depends upon many factors: the draw, the groups, the moments, the injuries, the luck. But, as I always say, you don’t have to obsess over Champions League. Juve are going to win, if not this year, I hope it will be the next or in two years,” he said, according to ESPN. “And it will be because of our work ethic and because of the way the club is being set up. They have all of the ingredients to win it.”

Last season, Juventus lost in the first round of the knockout stage against Ajax, while Barcelona made it to the semifinals, where they lost to Liverpool.

IN MEMORIAM: SPORTS FIGURES WHO DIED IN 2019 TRIBUTE SLIDESHOW

“I needed more motivation after winning what I won,” he said, according to ESPN. “I needed a change to express myself as a footballer because I think I still have a lot to offer.”

Matthijs de Ligt has joined Juventus after a massive transfer saga with all the major European clubs going after the 19-year-old Dutch defender. In the end, he decided to join Italian giants Juventus alongside Cristiano Ronaldo. 

According to the Bianconceri, de Ligt’s fee summed up to €75 million ($84.1 million) that Juventus had to pay Ajax for the defender. He signed a five-year contract, and according to the Guardian, he could be earning up to $516,000 in a weekly wage.

Signing de Ligt is a massive statement for the Italian giants to install themselves as favorites as both the domestic league and the European Champions league. Former manager Massimiliano Allegri resigned this summer, and Chelsea FC manager and Italian international Maurizio Sarri came to join the team.

De Ligt has a €150 million ($168.3 million) buyout clause that will come into effect in June 2022. De Ligt said he is excited to join a team under Sarri.

SPORTS FIGURES WHO DIED IN 2019 – IN MEMORIAM SLIDESHOW 

“I spoke to Sarri on the phone before coming just to get to know each other,” he said, according to Bleacher Report. “He was one of the reasons that I wanted to join here, I’ve heard a lot of good things about him and I like his footballing philosophy and how he prepares his defense.”

De Ligt is a superb signing for Juventus, who has been built on the art of defending in the past decades, but seemed to lose their groove in these last few years. Many Italian legends ran the back line and drove them to European success, and the 19-year-old has that sort of potential.

Juventus signed Ronaldo for €100 million ($112 million) last summer, and have started to build upon that. This summer, they signed Arsenal man Aaron Ramsay and former Juve goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, who were both free agents this summer. They also picked up Luca Pellegrini from Roma for a fee of £20 million ($25 million), along with Cristian Romero of Genoa for £23.3 million ($29.1 million).

“It was a long process [coming here], I was just looking at what was good for me,” de Ligt said, according to SB Nation. “Italy is the country of defending, the country that loves defending the most.”

The Las Vegas Police Department announced Monday that Portugal and Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo will not face criminal charges stemming from a 2009 rape accusation.

“The allegations of sexual assault against Cristiano Ronaldo cannot be proven beyond a reasonable doubt,” the district attorney’s office said in a news release. “Therefore, no charges will be forthcoming.”

https://twitter.com/LasVegasDA/status/1153366287214530560

The district attorney’s office said that in 2009, Kathryn Mayorga (the accuser of Ronaldo) called the LVPD to report that she was the victim of sexual assault. Since Mayorga refused to identify who was responsible for assaulting her, the police “were unable to follow investigative protocols.” Leading to the investigation being closed.

SPORTS FIGURES WHO DIED IN 2019 – IN MEMORIAM SLIDESHOW 

Ronaldo and the woman negotiated a civil settlement of $375,000 a year later in 2010. However, the case did not end there. Last year, Mayorga called the Las Vegas Police Department and identified Ronaldo as her assailant to re-open the case.

Ronaldo and Mayorga reportedly first met at the Rain nightclub inside the Palms Hotel and Casino on June 13, 2009. Ronaldo allegedly invited Mayorga up to his penthouse suite, asking Mayorga to join him in the jacuzzi.

As Mayorga changed in the bathroom into a pair of shorts and a t-shirt that Ronaldo gave her, Ronaldo approached her naked, asking for oral sex. Mayorga says she refused, and that Ronaldo then dragged her into his bedroom. Mayorga then claims that Ronaldo proceeded to rape her as she screamed, “No, No, No!”

“The psychological trauma of the sexual assault, the fear of public humiliation and retaliation and the reiteration of those fears by law enforcement and medical providers left plaintiff terrified and unable to act or advocate for herself,” the lawsuit claims.

Maurizio Sarri won the Europa League and finished third in the domestic league with English side Chelsea FC this year, but is still set to move on from Britain to go back to his home of Italy to coach Juventus and Cristiano Ronaldo. According to Sky Sports, the Italian is set to position himself with a three-year deal to be the new boss of the Serie A champions.

There is a multitude of reasons Sarri is leaving the English side, among them the fact that the club is facing a two-window transfer ban after breaking rules of signing U18 foreign players. The club has appealed the allegation and is currently at a deadlock with the Court of Arbitration. Fans voiced their disconcert of Sarri’s tactics and his team selections, refusing to play younger players with bags of potential. Chelsea also lost undoubtedly their best player in Eden Hazard as he just signed for Real Madrid earlier this week. Back in February as well, players challenged his authority after goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga refused to be subbed in a cup final after Sarri wanted a change in net. Chelsea would go on to lose that game in a penalty shootout against Manchester City.

With Sarri set to leave, who could Chelsea turn to? After it’s evident the side won’t be able to sign any players this summer and the January transfer window in 2020, Chelsea will surely have to rely heavily on their youth products. Former Chelsea midfielder, former assistant coach of the U18’s youth team and current Derby County manager Frank Lampard appears to be the perfect candidate. He led his Derby County to the Football League Championship playoff last season, where they lost to Aston Villa in the final, thus failing to be promoted to the Premier League.

SPORTS FIGURES WHO DIED IN 2019- TRIBUTE SLIDESHOW

According to Sky Sports News, pundit Jamie Redknapp said, “Frank would be the perfect person. Sarri is still the manager right now so until that changes, if it were to change and if they need a manager next year, they need someone who’s going to come in and stabilize the club.”

Chelsea signed U.S. star Christian Pulisic back in January before the allegations, and could be Hazard’s long-term replacement at left-wing. With Pulisic likely being the only new player coming to the club in July, the next manager has a full plate of issues around the squad ahead of their next campaign in the domestic league and in the Champions League.

Despite winning this season’s Europa League trophy and finishing third in the domestic league, Chelsea Football Club seem to be in absolute turmoil. Star player Eden Hazard will be moving to Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid for over $88 million after hinting at a move for over a full season. Head coach Maurizio Sarri will likely be leaving the club to return to Italy to be the manager of Juventus after multiple disagreements with the players and staff just one year under his tenure. And FIFA has filed for a two window transfer ban that if they are successfully found guilty, won’t be able to sign any new players for the remaining future.

FIFA gave the punishment to Chelsea back in February after the club allegedly had violated transfer rules, signing 29 players that were under the age of 18. After the statement was released, Chelsea immediately appealed the charge, and still await the final verdict.

Before the appeal however, Chelsea were able to sign U.S. international Christian Pulisic just before in January, and loaned Pulisic back to Borussia Dortmund for the remainder of the season, after confirming that he would be leaving German side.

According to the Guardian, FIFA has rejected Chelsea’s appeal against the sanction and the ban hasn’t been frozen as of yet. The Court of Arbitration said, “it is not possible to say at this time” when a decision will be decided.

If FIFA were to successfully ban Chelsea for two transfer windows, they will likely be looking at a tough season ahead of them. The squad depth and overall motivation to the club would fall, and some players will likely leave along with Hazard. According to Talk Sport, Chelsea has recently offered extension deals to veterans David Luiz and Olivier Giroud as it is a clear indication Chelsea will not be making any additions to the squad this summer.

The Dutch giants AFC Ajax had some season this year. The club won their domestic league, cup and made it to the semi-finals of the Champions League before being knocked out by Tottenham Hotspurs. The major clubs in Europe are looking to snag the talent away that the impressive Ajax team possess. A number of promising players from Ajax have been linked to other clubs, including their manager, Erik ten Hag.

Back in January, the Ajax midfielder Frankie De Jong agreed a deal with Spanish league winners, FC Barcelona to join over the summer. There is serious hype and potential around the 19-year-old, as The Independent’s Miguel Delaney compared the youngster to former Barca superstar, Xavi, according to Bleacher Report. De Jong has been trying to recruit his former Ajax teammate and Dutch counterpart, Matthijs De Ligt to join Barca with him.

“Of course I would like him to come to Barcelona, but we will see what happens. It’s up to him. I don’t know, it’s his decision,” De Jong said, according to Sacha Pisani of Goal. “You have to ask him about it, but I hope he comes to Barca.”

De Ligt has given no hints about where he will be signing for next season, as the 19-year-old CB has been linked to just about every big club in Europe, including PSG, Liverpool, Manchester United and Juventus.

“I will take my time to reflect on what is the best option for my future,” De Ligt said, according to ESPN, after the Netherlands beat England in Thursday’s game.

Ajax attacking midfielder Donny van De Beek has been linked to clubs as well. the 22-year-old had 13 total assists and 17 goals in all competitions, and played a big role to Ajax’s incredible season.

“I don’t see Donny leaving Ajax for just any club abroad. He is not the type who chooses based on money. Donny knows what he has in Amsterdam and he wouldn’t swap that for something less in a sporting sense,” van De Beek’s agent Sjaak Swart said, according to Goal. “If he ever leaves Ajax, in my eyes it must be to go to an absolute top club.”

A majority of Ajax’s squad as been linked to moves to major clubs, such as Hakim Ziyech, David Neres and their manager ten Hag. According to Express, the Ajax manager is likely the new man to take english powerhouse Chelsea FC as his new project, as current Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has dropped multiple hints of him going back home to Italy to coach Juventus and Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Ajax board and front office will try to hold on to as much as they can this offseason, but the turn of profit for the Dutch side will be one of the bests in club history if they were to offload such an immense amount of talent.

Juventus announced this week that Dani Alves will be released from the final year of his contract, and now the Brazilian defender has sparked speculation that he may transfer to Manchester City by lauding the English club’s manager, Pep Guardiola.

Dani Alves Had One Year Left on Two-Year Deal with Juventus

Alves, 34, signed a two-year deal with Juventus last summer after spending eight years with Barcelona, but the Italian champions’ chief executive Beppe Marotta said the team has agreed to let the Brazilian go on a free transfer.

Guardiola was Alves’ coach at Barcelona from 2008 to 2012, and according to ESPN FC, the Spanish manager also wishes to reunite with his former pupil.

“Everyone knows my admiration for Pep Guardiola – he is a great coach,” Alves told Brazilian TV show Conversa com Bial when asked if City would be his next destination. “I don’t know what is happening. I have left the work to my agents in Italy and they have said they would talk to me once they find a resolution on the contract.

“If I go, it will be without any conflicts, without any problems, as opposed to what is being said.”

In his one season with Juventus, Alves helped lead the Italian club to the Serie A and the Coppa Italia titles. Juventus lost to Real Madrid in the Champions League final this month.

Marotta emphasized in an interview with Italian publication Tuttosport that the Brazilian’s exit from Juventus was not due to a deterioration of the relationship between Alves and the club. 

“We’re not talking about a breakdown in the relationship, it’s motivation that is fundamental for players,” Marotta said. “Alves has realized he has a desire to try a new experience, so we’re trying to reach a mutual termination of his contract and we wish him good luck,” he said. “There’s certainly sadness because of what’s been said, but I can confirm there’s been no breakdown in our relationship.”

Guardiola has been looking to add a right-back to his team since Bacary Sagna and Pablo Zabaleta left because their contracts expired this summer.

Chelsea, the Premier League winners, have also been rumored to be interested in Alves. However, City is believed to be the Brazilian’s more likely destination.

Alves may not be the only right-back to join Guardiola’s club this summer. Tottenham Hotspur’s Kyle Walker has also been tied to a move to City, although no official agreement has yet been reached.

MONACO – MAY 03: Dani Alves of Juventus in action during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final first leg match between AS Monaco v Juventus at Stade Louis II on May 3, 2017 in Monaco, Monaco. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

After months of injuries and other setbacks, Dani Alves returned to his fine form on Wednesday by contributing assists to both of Gonzalo Higuain’s goals to lead Juventus to a 2-0 road victory over Monaco in a Champions League semi-final first-leg game.

Gonzalo Higuain, Dani Alves Lead Juventus to 2-0 Win vs. Monaco

Juventus’s first goal came in the 29th minute, on a great run from nearly one end of the field to the other. Brazilian defender Alves fed a pass to Argentine striker Higuain by the mid-field line before racing forward to retake possession of the ball, and then back-heeled a pass to Higuain, who fired a shot past Croatian keeper Danijel Subasic. 

Higuain had not scored in seven Champions League knockout games before Wednesday.

“I fight so hard for these moments,” the Argentine said. “Goals were not coming for me in this competition but I knew I just had to stay calm and keep working hard.”

Higuain struck again in the second half. One minute before the hour-mark, Paul Dybala stole the ball from Tiemoué Bakayoko and delivered a pass to Alves down the right touchline. The Brazilian then kicked a cross to the far post, where an onrushing Higuain one-timed a shot between Subastic’s legs to double the Turin-based Italian club’s lead.

Alves delivered one of his greatest performances of the season, as did Higuain. Late last November, five months after he transferred from Barcelona to Juventus, the Brazilian defender suffered a horrific ankle injury against Genoa and believed his career would be derailed for a while. The lesion came when Argentine midfielder Lucas Ocampos kicked him in the leg from behind on a race to win ball possession. Alves was carried off on a stretcher.

The Brazilian star, who played with Barcelona for nine seasons and with Sevilla for seven campaigns, was then revealed to have sustained a fractured left fibula, although his injury was then determined to be less severe then initially believed, and Alves — who turns 34 on Saturday — returned after less than three months.

Alves, who had more touches than any other Juventus player on Wednesday (72), nearly scored in the tenth minute when he volleyed a strike just over the head of an unguarded Mario Mandzukic.

Another player who delivered a fantastic appearance on Wednesday was Juventus goalkeeper and captain Gianluigi Buffon. The 39-year-old made several key saves, including two brilliant stops in the 13th and 16th minutes on shots from Monaco’s 18-year-old French forward Kylian Mbappé. Mbappe’s second effort came off a hard cross from Nabil Dirar. 

Monaco have allowed 18 goals in the Champions League this season, more than any other team among the remaining semi-finalists (Real Madrid and Ateltico Madrid are the other two).

Juventus, who have recorded six straight clean sheets in the tournament for the first time, next host Monaco for the second-leg game on Tuesday (May 9).

Real Madrid will visit Atletico for the second-leg semifinal on Wednesday (May 10). Real won the first-leg game 3-0 at home on Tuesday.

MONACO – MAY 03: Dani Alves of Juventus in action during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final first leg match between AS Monaco v Juventus at Stade Louis II on May 3, 2017 in Monaco, Monaco. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Juventus defender Patrice Evra has congratulated Barcelona forward Luis Suarez on his European Golden Shoe award.

Juventus’ Patrice Evra Congratulates Barcelona’s Luis Suarez On Golden Shoe Award

Suarez served an eight-match suspension and received a £40,000 fine while at Liverpool after the Football Association found the Uruguayan guilty of racially abusing Evra during a game against Manchester United in 2011.

The Uruguayan admitted using the word “negro” but insisted it was inoffensive in the context, subsequently blamed Evra, claiming the Senegalese-born Frenchman incited the incident and was not as proficient a Spanish speaker as he believed.

Suarez later refused Evra’s handshake before another Liverpool-United match at Old Trafford.

Evra said ahead of the 2015 Champions League final between Juventus and Barca that he was happy to shake Suarez’s hand even if he would never be the Uruguayan’s “best friend” and, discussing the FA hearing, added: “I didn’t say to the judge that Luis Suarez is a racist person. I just said in that moment he [made] some racist comment.”

However, the French defenseman seems to have put all their animosity behind him and congratulated Suarez for winning the Golden Shoe award.

On Thursday, Evra posted a photo of Suarez with the trophy on his Instagram page, accompanied by the following message in Spanish: “In my Instagram there is only love and never hate!

“Luis – you’re a great player, the best No 9. Congratulations. I love this game.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/BLzCsP8jsQu/

Clearly, Evra’s Spanish language skills seem better than Suarez described.

The Golden Shoe ranks top goal-scorers in European leagues via a point system where goals in the major five leagues are worth two points each, and those in lower-ranked leagues are worth less.

Suarez topped the charts with 40 for Barcelona in the 2015/16 La Liga season. He also shared the award with Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo in 2013/14 after scoring 31 times for Liverpool.

Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard also praised Suarez on Instagram, writing: “The best number 9 on the planet #mymate.”

SAO PAULO, BRAZIL – JUNE 19: Luis Suarez of Uruguay celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group D match between Uruguay and England at Arena de Sao Paulo on June 19, 2014 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)