Barcelona icon and former Spain midfield maestro, Xavi Hernández has tested positive for Coronavirus but is asymptomatic and currently in self-isolation.

The 40-year-old Barcelona and Spain legend, who is the current manager of Al Sadd in Qatar, announced his diagnosis today July 25 on Instagram.

He wrote on his page: ' A few days ago, following the QSL (Qatar Stars League) protocol, I tested positive in the last COVID19 test. Fortunately, I’m feeling ok, but I will be isolated until I am given the all-clear. When the health services allow it, I will be very eager to return to my daily routine and to work.



'I’d like to thank all the authorities, especially those working in [the] QSL, [the] QFA (Qatar Football Association) and [at] Al-Sadd for supplying the means of early detection, reducing the spread of infection and that guarantees the normal development of the competition.'



According to figures compiled by Johns Hopkins University, Qatar has over 108,000 confirmed Covid-19 cases with 164 deaths.

View this post on Instagram

Avui no podré acompanyar el meu equip en la tornada a la competició oficial. David Prats, entrenador del filial de l’@alsaddsc, ocuparà el meu lloc com a cap de l’equip tècnic. Fa uns dies, seguint el protocol de @qsl, vaig donar positiu en l’últim test COVID19. Afortunadament em trobo perfectament, però seguint el protocol, continuaré aïllat fins que ho hagi superat. Quan els serveis mèdics m’ho permetin, m’incorporaré a la meva rutina i feina diàries amb més ganes que mai. Agraeixo a totes les autoritats, especialment als responsables de @qsl, @qfa i d’ @alsaddsc per posar a la nostra disposició tots els mitjans per a una detecció precoç que eviti més contagis i garanteixi el desenvolupament normal de la competició. Una abraçada i ens veiem aviat als camps de futbol! ⚽ _____ Hoy no podré acompañar al equipo en la vuelta a la competición oficial. En mi lugar y a la cabeza del staff técnico estará David Prats - entrenador del equipo filial de @alsaddsc - Hace unos días y siguiendo el protocolo de @qsl di positivo en el último test COVID19 que me realizaron. Afortunadamente me encuentro en perfecto estado pero, siguiendo el protocolo, aislado hasta que lo haya superado. Cuando las autoridades sanitarias me lo permitan, me incorporaré a mi rutina y trabajo diarios con más ganas que nunca. Agradezco a todas las autoridades y en especial a los responsables de @qsl, @qfa y de @alsaddsc el poner a nuestra disposición todos los medios para una detección precoz que evite mayores contagios y garantice un desarrollo normal de la competición. Un abrazo y nos vemos pronto en los campos de fútbol! ⚽️

A post shared by Xavi (@xavi) on Jul 25, 2020 at 2:02am PDT

BREAKING:  Official Real Madrid win La Liga title

Realmadrid players celebrating their 34 laliga title after beating Villarreal 2-1

Real Madrid has won the La Liga title for the 34 th time after beating Villareal 2 -1 on Thursday

Zinedine Zidane who left realmadrid after winning the champions league but was brought back later to manage the team once again completed his second coming as manager to guide the next generation of Galacticos to yet another league title

Zinedine Zidane’s side were fully aware that victory would be enough to see them savage their first La Liga title since 2017.

Reals striker Karim benzema scored twice including a second - half penalty at the empty Alfredo di Stefano Stadium to send Madrid seven points clear and end Barcelona’ s two -year hold on the trophy .

Barcalona hope  to fight to the end was dashed against Osasuna at home after slipping up and eventually giving up  their title challenge to Real Madrid who are now the crowned champion. It  ended with a 2 -1 defeat at Camp Nou , despite a brilliant Lionel Messi free -kick .

It was their 10th successive victory at home to Villarreal as Zinedine Zidane guided the Galacticos to his second league title as manager in his third spell at the club, having come back to a struggling team following their Champions League exit against Ajax last March.

With only one round of matches left to play, Los Blancos went seven points clear at the top of the table ahead of Barca

Pasalic hat-trick helps Atalanta go second in Serie A

Atalanta's Croatian midfielder Mario Pasalic celebrating with Atalanta's Gambian midfielder Ebrima Colley after scoring his team sixth goal during the Italian Serie A football match between Atalanta and Brescia

Mario Pasalic scored a hat - trick as Atalanta brushed aside struggling local rivals Brescia 6- 2 to move second in Serie A on Tuesday .

Gian Piero Gasperini ’s side extended their unbeaten league run to 13 games to move six points behind leaders Juventus who visit eighth -placed Sassuolo on Wednesday .
Inter Milan and Lazio are two points behind Atalanta before they play against SPAL and Udinese respectively later this week .

Gasperini ’s side have scored 93 league goals so far this season — 26 more than eight- time reigning champions Juventus.

“ We don’ t do it to humiliate the opponent , but we try to play our game, ” said Gasperini .
“ Already last year we were the best attack in the league, this year we have surpassed ourselves , scoring many goals with many different players.
“ Playing in the Champions League has helped us and made us grow ,” added Gasperini , whose side will play Paris Saint -Germain in the last eight next month.

“ We are preparing for Paris Saint -Germain , but also want to fight to the end in Serie A .
“ I think the best way to be ready for August 12 will be to play these last five league games to the maximum .”

The game between high- scoring Atalanta and 19 th- placed Brescia was one between two neighbouring teams from cities ravaged by the coronavirus pandemic.

A minute ’ s silence took place before kick- off with players forming a circle with the backdrop of the music “ Rinascero, Rinascerai ” ( I will be reborn , you will be reborn ) , by Bergamo musician Roby Facchinetti .

Atalanta ’s top scorer Luis Muriel, with 17 league goals this season, watched from the stands hours after the Colombian left hospital after suffering a head injury in a fall at his home .

But his absence was not felt with Croatian Pasalic opening the scoring within two minutes at the Gewiss Stadium connecting with a Ruslan Malinovskyi cross.
Brescia hit back minutes later with Ernesto Torregrossa pouncing on Atalanta defender Mattia Caldara ’s poor clearance .

But the hosts got back into their stride and were four -goals up after half an hour with Marten De Roon , Malinovskyi and a Duvan Zapata header within a five -minute spell .

The punishment continued in the second half with Malinovskyi again setting up Pasalic to beat Lorenzo Andrenacci in the Brescia goal after 55 minutes .

The Croatian added a third three minutes later sending in Ebrima Colley ’s cross for his ninth goal this season, five of them against Brescia , having scored a brace in the away leg last November .
“ It ’s the best moment of my career ,” said Pasalic after his maiden hat - trick.
“ There are still five games left and we can do even better .

“ We have scored more than 90 goals in Serie A , we have shown against Juventus ( 2 -2 draw) that we can match even the strongest teams . ”
Nikolas Spalek pulled a goal back for Brescia who move closer to Serie B next season.

Atalanta , however, are having one of the best seasons in the club ’ s 112 -year history with a berth in the Champions League quarter -finals in their debut season.

Juventus have officially announced the signing of Arthur from Barcelona for £72.5 million.

The midfielder completed his medical at the Italian club on Sunday but was seen training with Barca on Monday. A video emerged of him seemingly saying his goodbye in a huddle on the training ground.

Arthur will earn £4.5m (€5m) per year in Turin, an increase on his current wage at Barcelona.

Miralem Pjanic will be going in the opposite direction for a fee worth around £60 million - although that deal is yet to be confirmed by either club.

Arthur signed a six-year contract at Barca in the summer of 2018, after signing from Gremio for an initial £27 million.

The midfielder played 27 times in La Liga in his debut campaign, failing to score. This season, he's played 20 matches in the league, scoring three times.

He's also been capped for his country on 20 occasions.

Despite previously insisting that he wanted to stay at the Camp Nou and fight for his place, the Catalan club were happy to sell him to raise much-needed funds to invest in their squad.

Meanwhile, Juve boss Maurizio Sarri reportedly wants to build his side around Arthur - much like he did with Jorginho at Napoli and Chelsea.

Despite agreeing to join Juve, Barca boss Quique Setien insisted he had no doubts about Arthur's commitment between now and the end of the season.

"I have no doubt about his greatest commitment until the last day he is here," Barca head coach Setien said on Monday.

"He is a player until the last game of the season He has committed himself to being one more [member of the squad].

"He will dedicate himself fully to achieving the objectives. I have no doubts about him.

"He has said that he will be in the best conditions. I'll decide if he plays more or less."

Arthur has made 61 appearances for Barcelona in LaLiga and the Champions League and maintained a pass accuracy of 92.7%. 🤯

Our very first home game behind closed doors was a cracking contest and ended with three precious Chelsea points courtesy of Willian’s second-half penalty.

There may not have been any supporters inside Stamford Bridge, but this meeting of top-four sides did not lack for intensity or excitement, and remained in the balance throughout. Chelsea were worthy winners in the end.

Christian Pulisic had given us the lead before the break with a sublime individual effort, and a goal of similar quality drew the visitors level after it, Kevin De Bruyne’s dipping set-piece ending up in the top corner.

On 70 minutes, Pulisic then stole in behind and so nearly doubled his and our tally. He burst clear of Fernandinho, took the ball around Ederson and steered goalwards with the angle narrowing. It looked set to roll in, but Kyle Walker appeared from nowhere to slide and stop it on the line, with Abraham unfortunate not to be able to force it home.

Pulisic showed his alertness closer to goal at Villa, and then his threat further away tonight. Twice he capitalised on hesitancy in the opposition ranks to break free, and was so unlucky not to add to his blistering opener that gave us the lead. Having been out for a couple of months prior to lockdown, he looks set to have a major impact on the rest of the season.

Raheem Sterling and Pulisic then went very close at either, before an intervention from VAR handed us the opportunity to seize control. After a scramble on the line, Fernandinho handled and was dismissed. Willian stroked the penalty home.

It felt like déjà vu when Pulisic and then Abraham somehow failed to bundle the ball in following wing wizadry from Willian and an Ederson save. Amid the scramble, our striker’s screams could be heard all over SW6, and replays showed why: Fernandinho had palmed Abraham’s nudge away. VAR’s decision, a penalty and red card, was simple.

While much of the attention will focus on Liverpool’s coronation, this was a mighty impressive Chelsea victory that maintains our five-point advantage over fifth-placed Manchester United. The performance will please Frank Lampard just as much, with his side markedly the better after the two drinks breaks.




Congrats Liverpool!!!

Liverpool were crowned Premier League champions without kicking a ball on Thursday as Chelsea ’ s 2 -1 win over Manchester City ended the Reds ’ 30 -year wait to win the English title .
Jurgen Klopp’ s men sealed a 19 th league title for the club with a record seven games left to play after second placed City’ s defeat left them 23 points adrift.

Liverpool had moved within two points of the title with a 4 -0 demolition of Crystal Palace at Anfield on Wednesday .

Their 28 th win in 31 league games this season prompted Liverpool star Mohamed Salah to declare “ now is our time to win the league” and 24 hours later his wish was granted .
Liverpool got the favour they wanted from Chelsea at Stamford Bridge .

Willian ’ s 78 th minute penalty , awarded for a handball by Fernandinho , ended City ’ s two -year reign as champions after Kevin De Bruyne had cancelled out Christian Pulisic ’ s opener .

Liverpool have clinched the title earlier than any other Premier League champions , breaking the previous record of five games left shared by City and Manchester United .

It has been an agonising wait for Liverpool fans across the world , with the coronavirus hiatus forcing them to put the champagne on ice after the Premier League was suspended in March with Klopp ’s team two wins from the title .

The three -month delay was a final obstacle on Liverpool ’s long road back to the pinnacle of English football .

Liverpool spent years in the shadow of arch -rivals Manchester United during the Alex Ferguson era before being left behind by the massive spending of Manchester City and Chelsea .

Then managed by Brendan Rodgers , they infamously squandered a golden opportunity to win the title in 2014 when Reds captain Steven Gerrard made his costly slip in a late -season defeat against Chelsea .

But Klopp ’s team are deserved champions after an incredible campaign that could end in record -breaking style .

Liverpool , who are now one title behind Manchester United ’s English record haul of 20 , are on course to beat Manchester City ’s record points total of 100 set in 2017 / 18 .

Klopp ’s men could smash the record for the biggest winning margin , set by City when they finished 19 points clear at the top in that same season.

They are also within touching distance of the most victories in a Premier League season — 32 by City in 2017 / 18 and 2018 / 19 .


Congrats Liverpool!!!

Georgina Rodriguez, the Spanish girlfriend of Cristiano Ronaldo shared this loved-up photo of them soaking up the sun during a yacht trip.

Georgina is raising Ronaldo's four children, their one-year-old daughter Alana Martina, surrogate twins Eva and Mateo, two, and nine-year-old Cristiano Jr .

The Ligue 1 champions are scheduled to return to training this week ahead of two cup finals and the Champions League's decisive stages Paris Saint-Germain have confirmed three players and one member of staff have tested positive for coronavirus.

 The Ligue 1 champions, who were crowned in April after the remainder of season was cancelled and positions decided on a points-per-game basis because of the coronavirus pandemic, are due to return to training ahead of the Coupe de France and Coupe de la Ligue finals and the resumption of the Champions League.

Thomas Tuchel men are through to the last eight of the Champions League, which will be finished in a tournament in Lisbon in August. They sealed a place in the quarter-finals of the European competition prior to the season's interruption in March at the expense of Borussia Dortmund, joining Atalanta, Atletico Madrid and RB Leipzig as one of the four teams who have already advanced from the last-16 stage. Prior to that tournament PSG are scheduled to face Saint-Etienne in the Coupe de France final on July 24 and then Lyon in the last Coupe de la Ligue showpiece on July 31, which added to Ligue 1 and the Trophée des Champions means the French side remain in the running to complete an unprecedented quintuple.

 The club carried out on the tests that confirmed the cases on Monday. A statement on PSG's website read: "These individuals had exhibited symptoms during the confinement period when they were not in contact with each other. "They are no longer contagious and will resume their training program." PSG are scheduled to resume training in small groups on Thursday.

Barcelona give statement on Neymar lawsuit Two players who will not take part in the remainder of the club's season are Edinson Cavani and Thomas Meunier, who, as Goal revealed on Saturday, have declined the chance to extend their contracts to the end of August. Brazil defender Thiago Silva is also set to leave Parc des Princes this summer after eight trophy-laden seasons with the club, but talks are still ongoing to tie the PSG defender down to a temporary deal which would last until the end of the Champions League. Layvin Kurzawa is also discussing terms with the club, who are keen to avoid losing more first-teamers as they seek their first-ever victory in the competition.

Manchester United star, Scott McTominay, has signed a new five-year contract at Manchester United to keep him at the club until June 2025, with the option to extend for a further year following his exceptional break out this season.

It was  Jose Mourinho who gave Scott his starting Berth and debut in 2017, however,the young lad has become a key player at the club, competing with the likes of Paul Pogba for the central midfield spot.

After making 28 appearances in all competitions this season the energetic and sturdy midfielder has been rewarded for his consistent performances and efforts with new contract. Scott has  made 75 appearances for the first team since 2017 racking up six goals to his name



Reacting to the deal, the midfielder said: "Whilst I understand that we all have so many other things to think about at the moment, I’m so happy to sign this contract and play a part in the future ahead for this team.



"All I have ever known is United and I hope that my passion for the club shows every time I go onto the pitch. I’ll continue to give everything for this club whenever I pull on the shirt.

"I want to thank the manager for the faith he has shown in me and everyone at the club that has helped me to get where I am today. I’m looking forward to finishing this season on a high and hopefully achieving our aims."
Solskjaer reacting to the new deal told Manutd.com.

"Scott has done tremendously well since I joined and has been a vital part of our midfield. He brings determination, tenacity and skill to the game and we know that Scott’s attributes will be a major asset to the squad over the coming years," Solskjaer said.

"As we always say the academy is the bedrock of the club and having come through the system everyone knows that Scott has shown the exact mentality that you need to succeed at Manchester United. I look forward to seeing his continued improvement in the years to come."

Juventus agree £72.5m Arthur deal
Talks continue over Pjanic
Juventus have struck an agreement with
Barcelona to sign Brazil international Arthur, according to Sky Sports .

The Catalans accepted a bid worth £72.5 million ($91m) for the midfielder, while talks continue over Juve star Miralem Pjanic, who is wanted at Camp Nou.

Juventus director Fabio Paratici said Arthur has to be "convinced" about swapping Barcelona for Turin after confirming negotiations with the La Liga champions.

Arthur has been at the centre of a possible swap deal involving Juve midfielder Miralem Pjanic, though the Barca star is reportedly unwilling to leave Camp Nou.
Paratici provided an update on the situation prior to Juve's 2-0 victory over Bologna in Serie A on Monday

"We have spoken frequently with Barcelona, but at this moment all the teams are playing important games, so we preferred to bypass this period," Paratici told Sky Sport Italia.

"It's not about June 30, before or after, but about finding an agreement between the various parties, and both players have to be convinced. Therefore, it's not an issue about dates."

Arthur joined Spanish giants Barca from boyhood Brazilian club Gremio in 2018.

The 23-year-old, who impressed in his maiden campaign, has made 26 appearances and scored four goals in all competitions this season.
Earlier this month, Barcelona coach Quique
Setien admitted there had been discussions about the Brazil international's future .

"It is true that we have talked about something, but not too much," Setien said when asked about Arthur.

"The current circumstances are different from the usual ones and will affect the market.
"As for the players, I am clear that all those who are currently in the squad, I count on them and I need everyone because there are going to be many games.

"On outside speculation, I choose not to speak."
Arthur made clear his desire to remain with Barcelona back in April; he was previously suggested as a transfer target for Inter .
In a statement sent to Mundo Deportivo , he said: "There will always be speculation but, sincerely, my idea is very clear. The only option that interests me is to continue at Barcelona.

"I'm very secure and relaxed. I feel really well here and, plus, I'm grateful to the club and technical staff for their confidence. This is yet another reason to be totally clear that my only desire is to continue."

Tennis star, Novak Djokovic and his wife , Jelena, have tried positive for Coronavirus after his Adria Tour.

The world No 1 was the face behind the Adria Tour, a progression of presentation occasions that began in the Serbian capital and afterward moved to Zadar, Croatia, a weekend ago. The occasion hosted a huge number stars in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Serbian international is the most recent tennis star to test positive after Croatia's Borna Coric, and Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria ,have recently tried positive in the wake of playing in at his Adria Tour show competition in the Balkan area.

Djokovic uncovered that he and his better half, Jelena, had both tried positive for Covid-19 subsequent to stepping through an examination following coming back to Belgrade from Zadar in Croatia.


In the statement, Djokovic said: “I am extremely sorry for each individual case of infection. I hope that it will not complicate anyone’s health situation and that everyone will be fine.”

“The moment we arrived in Belgrade we went to be tested. My result is positive, just as Jelena’s, while the results of our children are negative.

“Everything we did in the past month, we did with a pure heart and sincere intentions. Our tournament meant to unite and share a message of solidarity and compassion throughout the region.

“We organized the tournament at the moment when the virus has weakened, believing that the conditions for hosting the Tour had been met. Unfortunately, this virus is still present, and it is a new reality that we are still learning to cope and live with.”

The undertaker

Legendary Wrestler, Mark William Calaway, 55 years old, popularly known as The Undertaker, on Monday released a statement, announcing his retirement from the WWE.

The Undertaker made this announcement in the last episode of his documentary series ‘The Last Ride.’

According to Mirror.co.uk, The WWE star claims that he has “nothing left to accomplish” in the ring and It’s time for new guys to come up.

“I’m at a point, it’s time this cowboy really rides away. There’s nothing left for me to conquer or accomplish. The game has changed. It’s time for new guys to come up. The time just seems right.

“This documentary has helped me discover that and opened my eyes to the bigger picture and not judge myself as harshly these last few years.

“I can do more good outside the ring than I can inside. I’m finally at a place where I can accept that.”

And he also claimed that he’d experienced the perfect send-off and would only return “in case of emergency” or if Vince McMahon was “in a pinch”.

He added:

“I believe I’m at a place now, post-Boneyard, which was a hellacious battle against one of the best in the business. Here you are, climbing on your motorcycle and taking off.

“There was a lot of thought and a lot of emotion, one of those being ‘are you happy enough with that?’

“It was a powerful moment. You don’t necessarily always get those. If there was ever a perfect ending to a career, that right there was it.

“If Vince was in a pinch, would I come back? I guess time would only tell there. In case of emergency, break glass, you pull out The Undertaker. I would consider it.

“[But] at this point in my career, I have no desire to get back in the ring.”

The Undertaker made his wrestling debut in 1990 and has gone on to win every championship and event possible. With 30 years in the ring, his experience speaks volume.

He also had an incredible winning streak at Wrestlemania that only recently came to an end.

It was like a starting Berth for the home and the away team ,after coming back from a hiatus due to the Corona virus outbreak that led to the organising body of the premier league taking a break as part of the measure to prevent the wild spread of the Corona virus.

However,   the last 100 days made us forget about Chelsea football, the team did a fantastic job reminding us of the major issues and lapse they have been struggling with  throughout the season: inefficiency in front of goal, too slow and too predictable too often in passing, lapses of concentration in defense and set pieces. All the possession, none of the goals.

Villa can count themselves lucky too not to have lost by more in this game. They were fortunate to open the scoring but were rarely in the game as Chelsea dominated from start to finish.

It is a big three points for Chelsea as they look to create distance between them and those chasing them in fourth. They looked very comfortable and in no way rusty, which is a good sign with a run-in to come.

Chelsea were dominant in the first half boasting  76% of possession in the opening half and missed a couple of chances, with Villa keeper Oerjan Nyland twice denying Mason Mount while Mateo Kovacic volleyed inches wide from the edge of the penalty area.

Villa grabbed an opportunistic goal against the run of play just a couple minutes before half-time. Kovačić nearly equalized just before the break, but his sweet volley missed by inches.

The second half began much the same way as the first half ended, but then Lampard made some changes and the game changed for the better as well. Pulisic and Barkley made almost immediate impact, as Chelsea scored two goals in two minutes just past the hour mark to take the lead.

It was Christian Pulisic and Olivier Giroud who scored in quick succession to earn Chelsea a well-deserved victory

Chelsea’s defensive lapses almost gifted Villa a late equalizer, but the blues survived in the end.

Two assists for Azpilicueta! A goal each for Pulisic and Giroud.

Chelsea has now open up a five-point advantage over fifth-place Manchester United. Only three behind Leicester City in third now.

Next up is  Manchester City at the Bridge on Thursday, before the FA Cup quarterfinal on Sunday. Busy!

Liverpool can close to within one win of a first league title in 30 years when the English champions - elect return to action for the first time in three months against local rivals Everton on Sunday .

Jurgen Klopp’ s men set a record -breaking pace in the opening eight months of the season, dropping just five points in 29 games to open up a 22 -point lead at the top of the table .

A maximum of two wins are now needed from the last nine games to end the long wait , but Liverpool could be champions as soon as Monday if they beat Everton and Manchester City lose to Burnley 24 hours later .

Despite concerns over supporters congregating around the stadiums , Sunday ’ s clash will take place at Everton ’ s Goodison Park ( kick- off 1800 GMT ) , less than a mile from Liverpool ’s Anfield home .

A Merseyside derby like no other will take place behind closed doors, but Klopp is just relieved to have the chance to complete the job on the field after some suggested the season be declared null and void due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“ I became worried in the moment when people started talking about null and void the season because I was like ‘ wow ’ ,” said Klopp in his pre - match videoconference. “ That would have been really , really , really hard .”

The German urged his players to embrace the circumstances rather than make excuses.
“ When we all started playing football it was without a crowd. If I play today from time to time , it ’ s without a crowd , I still want to win. That ’ s exactly how it is ,” he added. “ It ’s all different but we cannot change that.

“ We have to use the circumstances, not suffer from that . That means there ’ s a game between Everton and Liverpool , which is still a derby and important for both teams for different reasons . That ’ s what we are looking forward to. ”
Derbies have provided little reason for Everton to remember fondly of late .

The Blue half of Liverpool have not celebrated a victory over the Reds in 10 years and 21 matches .
Twice at Anfield this season, even an under -strength Liverpool have proved too strong for their local rivals .

However, Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti wants his side to embrace the “ opportunity ” to cause an upset in front of a huge global audience in the first weekend of Premier League action since March.

“ It will be difficult but we have to consider it as a great opportunity to show our quality and come back to the Premier League with a good performance ,” said the Italian.
“ I am pleased the game is at Goodison Park , but no one is pleased to play games without supporters . ”

Ancelotti still has lofty ambitions of Everton challenging for a European place despite his side starting the day in 12 th.

Victory at Goodison will mean Liverpool ’s three - decade wait can come to an end on Wednesday when they host Crystal Palace at Anfield , no matter how City fare against Burnley .

Chelsea also returns to action for the first time in three months on Sunday as they look to cement their place in the top four at Aston Villa .

Frank Lampard ’ s men hold a two- point lead over Manchester United and Wolves in fourth , but that advantage could be reduced to one point by kick -off at Villa Park if Sheffield United beat Newcastle to move into fifth .

Bruno Fernandes’ s penalty salvaged a 1 -1 draw for Manchester United at Tottenham as the Red Devils had another late spot -kick overulled by a VAR review on Friday .

Jose Mourinho was on course to get the better of his former club when Steven Bergwijn ’ s strike gave Spurs a half -time lead .

However, United ’ s second - half pressure finally paid off nine minutes from time after the introduction of Paul pogba from the substitute been, as he made a return from injury that has kept him at Bay from featuring in most of the previous outing. Fernandes converted from the spot after Paul Pogba had been brought down in the box .

Bruno Fernandes also thought he had won a second penalty , but a VAR review decided there was minimal contact as he went down under a challenge from Eric Dier too easily

In the end they had to settle for a stalemate, sharing the spoil of the share.However, point does little for either side ’s chances of breaking into the top four with Chelsea having a game in hand and also wolves, Sheffield United in the chasing pack behind them with just a point apiece

Manchester United still remain in fifth position , two points behind Chelsea , while Spurs are four points further back in eighth .

PSG superstar, Neymar has lost his case against Barcelona in which he claimed €43.6 million from the club. The player must now pay €6.7 million to Barcelona.

Recall that,Neymar joined  Barcelona from Brazilian side Santos in 2013, before joining PSG four years later in a mouthwatering deal.

The former Barcelona player, Neymar, 28, took Barcelona to court in a bid to get money he believed Barca owed him after signing for the Spanish club in 2013 but unfortunately  Neymar has been ordered to pay Barcelona .

Barcelona have now reacted to the ruling saying the club remains prepared if Neymar appeals the ruling.

In a statement, a Barcelona spokesperson said: "FC Barcelona expresses its satisfaction with the verdict announced today by Social Court 15 in Barcelona in relation to the lawsuit involving FC Barcelona and the player Neymar Jr regarding the amount of the signing bonus in the final renewal of the player’s contract.

"The ruling has fully dismissed the player’s claim for payment of 43.6 million euros.
"[It has also] accepted a large part of the defence presented by FC Barcelona, as a result of which the player must return 6.7 million euros to the club.

"Since the player’s representative is entitled to appeal this decision, the club shall continue to fervently defend its legitimate interests."

Ex-Eagles midfielder, Garba Lawal, has disagreed with French club Lille over the €60m price tag placed on Victor Osimhen ahead of a possible transfer in the summer.

Osimhen, one of the hottest prospects in the transfer market, is almost certain that he won’t be staying at Lille ensuing his impressive performance and hot streak form in the French Ligue 1 last season.

Despite Les Dogues reducing their asking price for the Nigeria international from an initial €90m to €60m, Lawal is of the fact that the talented forward is overpriced.

“Lille are asking for €60m because they saw the calibre of clubs asking to sign Osimhen,” Lawal told The PUNCH.

“They wouldn’t have asked for such amount if it was an average team that was willing to sign him because there is no way they could afford it.
“Take for instance, if it was Aston Villa that was looking for him, would they have placed the €60m price tag on him?

“Lille are very smart, they saw that big clubs in Europe are the ones looking to sign Osimhen and they believe that they can make money from the deal. They see it as their chance to cash in on him, considering the amount they signed him from Charleroi.

“For a player that they signed for €12m and he spent just a season and they are asking for €60m, I think it’s crazy.

“I think a fee within the region of €30m would be nice and allow the young man to move on with his career. We want to see him make that big move, which is good for him as a player.”

Barcelona will offer Lionel Messi a new contract to keep him at the club until 2023, according to reports in Spain.
The Argentina international has just a year left on his current deal at Camp Nou, with no formal negotiations taking place yet to due to the coronavirus crisis.

A clause in his deal that would have meant he could walk away from Barca for free expired on June 10 and according to Mundo Deportivo, the club are now ready to offer fresh terms.
The contract will be set until 2023, but the winger will have the option to terminate the contract a year before then.

Barca are waiting for Messi’s father, Jorge, to return to Spain from Argentina so they can sit down for final talks.

Both parties want to prioritise the Catalan side’s push for the La Liga title and Champions League over any contract negotiations.

Signing a new deal will put cold water on any exit talks, with the winger previously being linked with a move to join his old boss Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.

Messi has scored in both of Barcelona’s games since Spain’s top tier returned last week.
His penalty against Leganes on Tuesday night took him to 21 La Liga goals this season and only one shy of hitting an astonishing 700 career goals for club and country.

Timo Werner: Chelsea confirm signing of RB Leipzig star for fee of around £48million

The RB Leipzig star has finalised terms on a contract worth around £170,000-a-week with the Premier League club which runs until 2025.

Werner was linked with Liverpool but is now heading to Premier League rivals Chelsea

Werner was linked with Liverpool but is now heading to Premier League rivals Chelsea
Werner will link up his new team-mates in July, subject to passing a medical.

The fee for the 24-year-old German international is understood to be around £48million.

“I am delighted to be signing for Chelsea, it is a very proud moment for me to be joining this great club,” he declared.

“I of course want to thank RB Leipzig, the club and the fans, for four fantastic years. You will forever be in my heart.

“I look forward to next season with my new team-mates, my new manager and of course the Chelsea fans.

We have some @TimoWerner news for you! 👀

— Chelsea FC (at 🏡) (@ChelseaFC) June 18, 2020

Together we have a very successful future ahead of us.”

It is a major coup for Frank Lampard, who will also welcome Ajax attacker Hakim Ziyech to the club this summer.

Werner, who had also been on Liverpool’s radar, has scored 32 times all competitions for RB Leipzig this season to enhance his reputation as one of the best attacking prospects in Europe.

His latest goal came on Wednesday night, a superb long-range strike in a 2-2 draw with Dusseldorf.

Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia added: “We are very excited that Timo Werner has chosen to join Chelsea.

“He is a player who was coveted all over Europe and it is no surprise, he has that rare mix of being young and exciting and yet established and proven.

“We can’t wait to have Timo on board, but until then we wish him and RB Leipzig all the best for the rest of this season.”


Chelsea are backing boss Lampard heavily in the transfer market as they look to mount a title challenge to Liverpool and Manchester City next season.

Leicester City’s Ben Chilwell is understood to be next in Lampard’s sights after agreements were reached for Werner and Ziyech.

Bayer Leverkusen’s talented young forward Kai Havertz is also understood to be among Chelsea’s targets.

Lampard’s immediate focus will be on steering the club into the Champions League.

The Blues are currently sitting fourth in the table, three points ahead of Manchester United, and resume their season at Aston Villa on Sunday

Juventus and Napoli met on Wednesday in Rome in the first major cup final since soccer returned after the worst of the coronavirus pandemic in Europe. It's the 2020 Coppa Italia final from Stadio Olimpico with Juve as the heavy favorites.

It was an intense 90mins after couple of chances were missed at both ends. However, Napoli came through on penalties. The Coppa Italia's new home is in Naples.

Napoli, however has beaten Cristiano Ronaldo and Juventus on Wednesday in an intense Coppa Italia final in Rome 4-2 on penalty kicks. The regulation time ended at 0-0 despite Napoli having the best chances, and with no extra time as a new rule for this season's edition, the underdogs took home the title.

Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon made couple of saves to save his team some blushes in regulation including coming out  twice to deny the Naples  in added time, but it was not enough as Juve missed its first two kicks. Juventus coach Maurizio Sarri was facing his former team yet couldn't get the better of them, losing his second cup final with the team after losing the Italian Super Cup to Lazio earlier in the season.

Paulo Dybala's penalty, which was Juve's first, was saved well by Alex Meret before Juve's second from Danilo was sent over the bar. Napoli made all four of their attempts to shut the door and take home the covered domestic cup.

A huge win for Gattuso's side against Italian powerhouses Juventus.It is also the first trophy for the southerners since 2014 , plus a maiden coaching trophy for Gennaro Gattuso who replaced Carlo Ancelotti in December ,as Ronaldo fails to get his hands on one of the few trophies that still eludes him.