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Non-compliance concerns centre around USAC not fulfilling governance norms set by the US Olympic body, and longstanding vacancies in top administrative posts

Nagraj Gollapudi18-Jul-2024The ICC has warned USA Cricket (USAC) it risks being “put on notice” for non-compliance with its Associate membership status, barely a month after the last game of a historic, first-ever ICC global event staged in the country. The USA was a co-host, with the West Indies, of the T20 World Cup in June, staging games at three venues as the ICC acted on its long-held ambition of breaking into North America.But the difficulty of that ambition is evident in the warning, which says USAC is potentially in breach on two counts. One concerns USAC not fulfilling the governance norms set by the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) necessary for it to earn the National Governing Body (NGB) status, which is mandatory for all sports that were last year added to the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. And on the second the ICC has hauled up USAC for not having a “fit-for purpose administrative structure”, including not filling in the vacant CEO position after it sacked the previous incumbent months into his job.”USA Cricket is currently Non-compliant with ICC Associate Member Membership Criteria 2.2(b)(i) (governance structure) and 2.2 (b)(ii) (administrative and executive structure) and is at risk of being placed ‘On Notice’,” the ICC said in an note sent recently to all its members attending the global cricket body’s AGM, which will take place on July 22 in Colombo immediately after the ICC Board meets.Titled “Associate Member Membership Update”, the five-page document, accessed by ESPNcricinfo, was sent on July 11. The ICC noted that the USOPC had “expressed serious concerns” over the governance model of USAC. “The USOPC has written to the USAC expressing serious concerns about the ongoing governance of USAC. Whilst this does not put USAC in breach of ICC Membership Criteria, it reflects broader concerns regarding USAC’s governance.”However, USOPC have stated if USAC do not achieve NGB certification, they will be required to commence a process to recognise an alternate NGB for cricket, which could put USAC in breach of ICC Membership Criteria to be “recognized by the ICC (at its absolute discretion) as the primary governing body responsible for the administration, management and development of cricket (men’s and women’s) in its country”.This is second time this year the ICC has put USAC on alert. After its quarterly meetings in March, the ICC sent a missive to USAC hauling it up over several issues, including warning it even back then that USAC was not doing enough to become USOPC compliant. The ICC also raised the issue of not having a CEO in place ever since it released the incumbent Dr Noor Mohammad Murad, as well as not appointing an independent director on its Board.That email, sent by ICC CEO Geoff Allardice six days after the ICC Board met in Dubai, was addressed to USAC chair Venu Piske, who was elected to the position in July 2023. While the ICC Board acknowledged USA’s “importance” as a “cricket territory”, Allardice noted in the email, seen by ESPNcricinfo, it was also aware of the “long history of problems” with USAC.The ICC Board had even toyed with the idea of suspending USAC membership in March for “being in serious breach of membership obligations”, but it did not happen eventually only because Allardice said it would disrupt USA’s preparation for the 2024 T20 World Cup. Instead, the ICC Board decided to give USAC a “last chance” to “remedy” the non-compliance issues.As a primary punitive measure though, the ICC Board did stop the annual funding USAC receives until it fulfilled all membership criteria, only allowing “controlled funding” on an “exceptional basis” between April and July “to enable cricket in the USA not to be prejudiced”. During the T20 World Cup, ICC chair Greg Barclay and Allardice once again reiterated to USAC that it was in danger of being suspended if it failed to comply with the membership criteria.Now, in the July AGM note, the ICC said the USAC continued to still be in breach and recommended stronger sanction. “USAC still does not have a fit-for purpose administrative structure. USAC do not currently have a CEO, having terminated the employment of their most recent one after only a few months in the role. A recruitment process for a replacement CEO has commenced. In April, the two remaining USAC Development staff (the Development Manager and Women’s Manager) resigned. A process to replace these staff as has not yet commenced. Currently, replacement staff are temporary and part-time contractors.”It is Management’s view that USAC has not remedied all areas of non-compliance as outlined in the ICC’s letter to USAC dated 21 March, 2024, and is therefore at risk of being placed ‘On Notice’.”In its initial response, sent on July 12, USAC is understood to have told the ICC that it had appointed an independent director – Pintoo Shah – who also took charge as the Treasurer. His appointment was ratified by the USAC Board on the same day. The delay in filling up the independent position, USAC explained, was due to it amending its constitution to fall in line with USOPC regulations.The USAC email, copied to senior USOPC officials, also said it was harsh on ICC’s part to threaten “drastic action” when it was working hard to meet compliance. USAC said it was informed of the NGB accreditation process only on January 24, so it was unfair to expect it to be compliant by March when the ICC sent the initial warning, and especially when the deadline for compliance submission to USOPC was September 30.As for the vacant CEO position, USAC said that it had received several applications when it advertised for the position this April and shortlisted names, keeping ICC Americas in the loop. The new USAC CEO, it is understood, will be appointed immediately after the ICC AGM.

Some players moved closer to Mauricio Pochettino's World Cup squad, others will be left wondering if they did enough

HOUSTON – The Gold Cup is over. But we won't really what it all meant for another 11 months. Sunday was the finale, yes, and it was a deflating one for the U.S. men's national team. But from the start, the Gold Cup was never really about the Gold Cup – it was a stepping stone on the ultimate journey to the 2026 World Cup.

With that target now less than a year away, a group of 26 players gathered for 40 days to play eight games all over the United States. It wasn't the strongest possible collection of players for Mauricio Pochettino and his USMNT staff, but they were the ones on the roster, those tasked with not just winning a tournament, but with setting a tone.

In the end, they didn't win the tournament. Mexico managed to do that – again – by overcoming an early deficit and winning, 2-1, over the USMNT. But was that tone set? The next year will provide the answer.

"I think we understand the standard now," said defender Tim Ream. "We understand what we need to do on and off the field. We understand what kind of culture is wanted for us and it took a little bit longer than it probably should have. Guys will come in and out. This group will more than likely not be the same again.

"But it's down to us players to now drive home the ideas that they want, the culture that they've created. And it's going to be important for whoever has been in camp for these five weeks to make sure this continues moving forward in every single camp."

This camp, like any other, featured the rise of some players, the fall of others. It was a measuring stick for not just those on the fringes, but also those at the top of the player pool. With just a few camps remaining until the World Cup – and nothing but friendlies ahead – this was the longest gathering before the U.S. squad is selected for next summer.

Some players moved closer to being a part of that squad with their performances in these games. Others will be left wondering if they did enough. Who stood out? Whose stock rose in this Gold Cup run, and whose fell? GOAL takes a look.

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  STOCK UP: Malik Tillman

  For the first time in his USMNT career, Malik Tillman was allowed to be a big fish in a small pond. He lived up to that label, taking control to establish himself as a bona fide starter one year out from the World Cup.

  From the start, Tillman proved he was clearly in a different class technically, so much so that it took his teammates time to realize just how little space he needed to make things happen. He continually delivered, scoring or assisting in all but two of the games in this tournament. When the U.S. generated a big chance, Tillman was often on the end of it, which went a long way towards building his confidence.

  "Malik is one, the quietest guy ever, but he's leading by example," Ream said. "You have guys who are more vocal and guys who lead by example so finding more of those and unearthing more of those within this group has been a really big positive."

  That confidence should carry over when the USMNT veterans rejoin the squad. Tillman no longer has reason to defer when with the "A team" arrive. He's comfortably part of it now. He translated his PSV successes to the national team, erasing any doubt about whether or not he could contribute at the international level.

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  STOCK DOWN: Matt Turner

  It could have been a summer for Matt Turner to rebuild his confidence. Instead, it was a summer to build up a competitor for that No. 1 goalkeeper spot.

  Matt Freese, not Turner, was in goal for the U.S. all summer, leaving the Crystal Palace goalkeeper on the bench. It was his time on the sidelines at Palace that put him in this scenario, a lack of playing time that opened up a race. Now, Turner will have a lot of work to do to make up ground, as the USMNT went 5-1 with Freese as the starter in the Gold Cup run.

  Turner, to his credit, handled it fantastically. Throughout the Gold Cup, he was frequently seen tutoring Freese, who had nothing but good things to say about the veteran. Turner wasn't bitter; he was helpful, and that goes a long way.

  Still, if Turner wants to be the starter next summer the way he was back in Qatar, he'll need to play on the club level. That message was sent quite clearly by Pochettino and his staff. A move to Lyon may or may not be in the cards but, no matter where Turner does end up, all that matters is that he gets minutes. If not, the door will remain open for Freese, Zack Steffen and Patrick Schulte with the World Cup looming.

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  STOCK UP: Diego Luna

  Where to begin with the USMNT's Moon Man? He's become a cult hero and, arguably, already among this team's biggest stars. Based on this summer, he's also likely bound for the World Cup next summer, too.

  Pochettino has been enamored with him since January, and for good reason. He brings attitude, heart and fight to a team that has, at times, lacked all of those qualities. Just boiling him down to that shortchanges him, however. Luna, at his core, is also one hell of a player, one with quality and creativity.

  He sparked this team often in this tournament. He was the difference-maker against Guatemala and Costa Rica. He had two assists, one that should have been a goal, against Trinidad & Tobago in the opener, too. In the end, Luna finished with five combined goals and assists, level with Tillman in the Gold Cup. Only Panama's Ismael Diaz had more.

  Luna isn't going anywhere. The question is no longer if he can contribute to the USMNT, but whether he's made a case to start in the final few camps leading up to the World Cup.

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  STOCK DOWN: Johnny Cardoso

  As with Tillman, Cardoso entered this USMNT camp with open questions. Despite all of his club successes, which have led to a reported move to Atletico Madrid, Cardoso never looked particularly good in a USMNT shirt. The hope was that this Gold Cup would change that.

  Just the opposite. Injuries limited Cardoso throughout the tournament, and he ends this Gold Cup in the same state as he began it: a question mark.

  In total, he played just 11 minutes at the tournament after putting in a downright bad 45 against Turkey and a poor 90 against Switzerland in pre-Gold Cup losses. When he was on the field, Cardoso did himself no favors – and injury issues prevented him from making up for it. It's bad fortune, for sure, for a player who has generally been pretty unlucky when representing the national team.

  Is September the window in which he figures it all out? Pochetino will hope so. He is too talented not to contribute, but this tournament was yet another without a signature Cardoso moment.

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has blasted a section of the Arsenal fan base which has severely criticised Noni Madueke on social media.

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Ferdinand publicly defends MaduekeLaunches attack on Arsenal fans for criticising the wingerMadueke set to make move from ChelseaFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Legendary Manchester United centre-back Ferdinand has come to the defence of Madueke ahead of his £52 million (€61m/$71m) move from Chelsea. Ferdinand labelled the behaviour by a section of the Arsenal fan base as an "utter disgrace" and stated that he has "never seen anything like this before" while speaking about the negative reaction of some fans on social media.

Advertisement(C)Getty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Since making a switch from PSV Eindhoven in January 2023, Madueke has made 92 appearances for the Blues, scoring 20 goals. His performances have somewhat left fans wanting for more. Despite not lighting up the Premier League on a consistent basis, the 23-year-old has earned a surprise move to rivals Arsenal, joining them on a five-year contract. The move has attracted harsh criticism from a lot of Gooners, who have vilified the English international on social media. In fact, the hashtag #NoToMadueke has been trending on micro-blogging platform X (formerly Twitter). A petition to prevent Madueke from arriving at the Emirates Stadium has also been filed by the same fans.

WHAT RIO FERDINAND SAID

Taking to X, Ferdinand posted: "Noni Madueke. For a Young 23 year old English footballer to be vilified, bullied, embarrassed and totally strip down at a time when you’re meant to be celebrating a transfer worth £55 million. Yes a young kid with a dream about to secure a £55 million dream move to a club of his desire leaving a rival at that to be treated in this manner via section of the Arsenal fan base is an utter disgrace. Just put yourself in his shoes for one minute just put yourself in his parents shoes for one minute and just think of how that feeling must be. I’ll say it again, at a time as a player as a human as a family you should be celebrating. I just hope the people that are closest to him are around him and supporting him in the way that he needs right now.

"It’s fine for fans to disagree with signings or decisions made at their football club but the way some fans have publicly voiced their opinions and those who have gone a step further in publicly joining a petition for this player not to be signed by their football club is beyond me. I have never seen anything like this before, and I hope I don’t ever again. Like I said earlier just imagine this was your best friend, one of your family members, your brother, son…then tell me how would you feel if they were on the receiving end of this vulgar behaviour???

"By the way, This isn’t aimed at all Arsenal fans it’s just a small section who have become very loud unfortunately. I just hope the transfer goes through and Noni Madueke rams all of this negativity back down the throats of these impostors.

"Whatever happens from here good luck Noni."

Getty/GOALWHAT NEXT FOR NONI MADUEKE?

According to Fabrizio Romano, Madueke has returned to England after leaving the Chelsea camp for the Club World Cup in the United States. The medicals are scheduled and it is expected that Mikel Arteta's side will announce the arrival of the Barnet-born attacker shortly.

MatériaMais Notícias

da aviator aposta： A noite desta quarta-feira (7) será muito especial para Weverton. No Palmeiras desde 2018, o goleiro completa 300 jogos pelo clube justamente na partida contra o Barcelona-EQU, que acontece nesta noite, às 21h30 (de Brasília), no Allianz Parque, pela quinta rodada da fase de grupos da Libertadores.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasPalmeirasPalmeiras atualiza situações de Mayke e Gabriel Menino, e segue preparação para enfrentar o Barcelona-EQUPalmeiras06/06/2023PalmeirasPalmeiras x Barcelona-EQU: onde assistir ao vivo, escalações e desfalques do jogo de hoje pela LibertadoresPalmeiras07/06/2023PalmeirasSem Ríos e Menino, Abel deve escalar Palmeiras diferente na LibertadoresPalmeiras06/06/2023

da prosport bet： + Palmeiras x Barcelona-EQU: onde assistir, prováveis escalações e desfalques do jogo pela Libertadores

– Quem diria, 300 jogos por esse gigante. É uma satisfação e até difícil de falar. Me lembro chegando aqui em 2018, vindo do Athletico. Cheguei como terceira opção e, com muito trabalho e respeito, entendendo como o clube funcionava, poder chegar hoje a 300 jogos e dez títulos no clube. Valeu muito a pena todo esforço, o sacrifício, a renúncia e todo o preço que paguei para chegar até aqui. Tenho certeza de que ainda tenho muito para viver, mas é uma marca fantástica e estou muito feliz e realizado com esse momento – celebrou Weverton.

Atualmente, o camisa 21 é o sétimo arqueiro com mais confrontos pelo Verdão na história e nesta quarta irá empatar com Marcos como o jogador com mais partidas pelo Palmeiras em Libertadores (no momento tem 56 contra 57 do Santo). Weverton também é o jogador com mais vitórias pelo clube na competição continental, com 40, seguido por Gustavo Gómez, com 38.

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Além disso, está a um jogo com a ‘baliza a zero’ de igualar Marcos na quarta posição na lista dos arqueiros com mais duelos sem ser vazado da história do Alviverde (tem 148 contra 149 do Santo, e ambos estão atrás de Valdir de Morais, com 156, de Velloso, com 186, e Emerson Leão, com 308).

+ Sem Ríos e Menino, Abel deve escalar Palmeiras diferente na Libertadores

Weverton é o goleiro com mais títulos da história do Palmeiras, com dez conquistas, seguido por Oberdan Cattani, que somou nove. O arqueiro palestrino foi campeão da Copa do Brasil (2020), tricampeão paulista (2020, 2022 e 2023), campeão da Recopa Sul-Americana (2022), bicampeão da Libertadores (2020 e 2021), bicampeão brasileiro (2018 e 2022) e campeão da Supercopa do Brasil (2023).

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Tudo sobre

PalmeirasWeverton

Will Leeds United be able to consolidate themselves as a Premier League-worthy outfit next season after finally breaking free of the Championship’s grip?

It will certainly be easier said than done, however, considering all three promoted teams that went up at Leeds’ expense at the end of the 2023/24 campaign are all tumbling straight back down to the EFL’s top league after a short-lived top-flight stay.

Moreover, Daniel Farke himself has a sketchy track record in the Premier League, having picked up just six career wins at the tricky level, leading to speculation surrounding his future at Elland Road that he could be let go of despite successfully guiding the Whites up to the big-time.

To help in their mission to stay afloat, one of Leeds’ tactics in the summer transfer window could be to poach some of the Championship’s cream of the crop.

Who Leeds could sign this summer

Before looking to bring in some of the EFL’s very best, it might be a case that the Whites look at strengthening courtesy of some Premier League players.

Inevitably, rumours linking Kalvin Phillips with a return have been lingering in the background over the last few months, while last week, West Ham midfielder Tomas Soucek has reportedly become a target for the club.

But, who else is on their radar?

Well, heading into the 2024/25 campaign, they were persistently linked with Sheffield United playmaker Gustavo Hamer.

Leeds would, of course, snap up Jayden Bogle from the Blades, but this other switch wouldn’t go ahead, with the ex-Coventry City attacker then going on to win the coveted prize of Championship’s Player of the Season at the EFL awards this weekend for his efforts under Chris Wilder’s wing.

Gaining such recognition could well reignite the promoted side’s interest, with Hamer now having to fight it out for a place in the Premier League next season via the playoffs.

It’s a move pundit Lee Hendrie thinks has legs too, telling Football League World: “Obviously (Leeds) were interested (in Hamer), and particularly if the Blades don’t go up, I think that is going to be the key factor, isn’t it? He’s a very good player, and he has had a lot of clubs that were sniffing around him, even before going to Sheffield United. He’s proven that he has got that x-factor, one of the better players in the Championship arguably, in that position, anyway.”

Why Hamer would be a major upgrade on Aaronson

Described as an “unbelievable” player by former teammate Oli McBurnie, signing Hamer could finally see Brenden Aaronson pushed to one side in Farke’s starting lineups.

Aaronson should be commended for slotting back into the Whites set-up this season after his time at Elland Road had become sour but that doesn’t mean an upgrade shouldn’t be sought once their Premier League return is here.

The 24-year-old was loaned out to Union Berlin for all of the 2023/24 season right after his side’s demise down to the EFL, only for the number 11 to notch up nine goals and two assists from 44 Championship appearances the following campaign back among the first-team fold.

Unfortunately for the rejuvenated USA international, he has endured a poor personal end to the season even as his side sit pretty in the league’s top two, with a mere two goal contributions falling his way in the Championship in 2025.

Whereas, Hamer – as seen via his sumptuous free-kick against Coventry back in March – has been a constant menace all campaign long for Wilder and Co, with four of his impressive 16 goal contributions in league action coming during United’s last six contests.

Championship games played

163

44

Premier League games played

36

36

Champ goals

26

9

Champ assists

31

2

PL goals

4

1

PL assists

7

3

Shades of a certain Pablo Hernandez – a goalscoring and creative midfielder, Hamer certainly blows Aaronson out of the water with his standout Premier League output.

While goals certainly haven’t been hard to come by for Leeds in 2024/25, he would be a welcome addition to Farke’s ranks if a move whirred back into motion, with Hamer more than comfortable as a number ten option to usurp his ex-Red Bull Salzburg counterpart.

Also equally as lively down the left where he’s predominantly starred this season at Bramall Lane, Hamer would potentially give Farke a whole host of options in attack ahead of the step-up in quality, with this signing one that would undoubtedly boost Leeds in their fight for instant survival.

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Half-centuries from Procter and Nair not enough to prevent visitors claiming victory

ECB Reporters Network13-May-2024

Gloucestershire pace bowler Marchant de Lange led the charge with three wickets to set up Gloucestershire’s first Vitality County Championship victory since September 2022 on the final day of this clash against Northamptonshire at Wantage Road.Northamptonshire resumed on 144 for 2, needing 414 more runs to win, or more realistically to bat out the whole day to secure a draw. For a while that looked a possibility as India international Karun Nair and George Bartlett shared a fluent stand of 83 in 24 overs. But the second new ball proved decisive as Josh Shaw and de Lange, bowling a feisty spell, removed both set batters as Northamptonshire lost three wickets for nine runs in 5.4 overs.With Ajeet Singh Dale mopping up the tail, the end came quickly as Northamptonshire’s final five wickets fell for just 35 runs, and while they passed 300, they ultimately lost heavily by 256 runs.Northamptonshire started the day by adding 81 during the morning session for the loss of two wickets. Nightwatchman George Scrimshaw survived for the first half an hour before he played an expansive drive outside off stump to one from Shaw and edged behind to wicketkeeper James Bracey.Luke Procter reached his fifth half-century of the season with a glorious cover drive off Shaw, but his gritty knock came to an end in less elegant fashion. The Northamptonshire skipper tried to work a full toss to leg, only to get a leading edge off the back of the bat, the ball looping up to give Tom Price the easiest of caught-and-bowled chances.Bartlett, fresh from an unbeaten century at Leicester, endured a nervy start. Almost stumped off the second ball he faced thanks to some sharp glovework from Bracey, he then narrowly avoided playing on to Tom Price, instead picking up a streaky boundary off the inside edge.Nair played some sumptuous cover drives before lunch and came down the pitch to dispatch Zafar Gohar over long-on as well as putting pressure on the fielders by running some sharp singles. He endured one nasty moment shortly before the interval when he was struck on the helmet as he attempted to duck under a short ball from de Lange which failed to get up.Bartlett looked more settled after lunch and started to score freely, while Nair brought up his half-century off 80 balls with his eighth boundary. But despite Zafar finding plenty of turn with his slow left-armers, Gloucestershire’s decision to take the new ball proved key.First Shaw made the much-needed breakthrough when Bartlett fell to a fine diving catch down the leg side by Bracey, away to his left.Meanwhile the tussle between a fiery de Lange and Nair continued to provide drama. The India batter was in the wars once more when he was struck on the glove by de Lange, but finished the over with a big smile after he leant back and purposefully uppercut the South African over the slips for four.De Lange though had the last laugh when Nair was caught in two minds between a pull shot and an upper cut, the ball ballooning up to Shaw running in from mid-on. De Lange, bowling his second consecutive wicket maiden, then picked up Saif Zaib who prodded at one just outside off stump and was caught behind – the fast bowler’s eighth wicket in the match.Liam Patterson-White looked positive, cutting Zafar crisply for four before taking a brace of boundaries off de Lange, but his stay ended soon after when he went to cut Singh Dale and was bowled.Siddharth Kaul was next to go, bowled by Zafar, before Singh Dale had Ben Sanderson caught behind to give Bracey his fourth catch of the innings and spark celebrations in the Gloucestershire dressing room.

Arsenal’s main focus for now is securing Champions League qualification alongside their run in the latter stages of the competition, but Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta are already eyeing potential summer arrivals.

Arsenal's summer search for attacking reinforcements

Despite their best efforts, the Gunners look set to come up short in their hunt for a first Premier League title since 2004 after a frustrating campaign that hasn’t lived up to expectation.

Mikel Arteta has a right to bemoan Arsenal’s lengthy list of injury problems, which have left key men such as Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus sidelined for the last few months. This has led the Spaniard to cultivate makeshift solutions in certain positions, including Mikel Merino’s emergence as an auxiliary striker.

The former Real Sociedad man has had his moments through the middle. Still, attacking reinforcements across the front four positions are necesarry if the north Londoners are to become long-term title contenders moving forward.

Finding the right blend of youth and experience has to be the priority – Bayern Munich star Leroy Sane has become an Arsenal target to help bolster competition within the ranks come the summer.

Financially, they will also need to adhere to FFP regulations like everyone else. The Germany international could be available on a free transfer, though his track record will likely attract plenty of interest from other clubs should his contract at the Allianz Arena run down without renewal.

On a positive note, Ethan Nwaneri has become a shining light on the right-hand side. However, strength in depth is the aim for Arsenal to overcome their shortcomings, so it will come as no surprise that Arteta and company have set their sights on another winger.

Arsenal set sights on summer move for Lyon star Malick Fofana

According to CaughtOffside, Arsenal have set their sights on Lyon’s Malick Fofana as Arteta looks to spruce up the wide areas despite competition from Liverpool for the Belgium international, with scouts returning positive reports after watching him in action.

Reportedly open to taking on a new challenge, the report says ‘it’s hard to imagine him staying at Lyon for much longer’, but the Gunners may need to pay a fee in the region of £42 million to sanction his arrival. Aston Villa, Newcastle United, Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus are also receptive to his form.

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Labelled an “energetic dynamo” by French journalist Walid Acherchour, the 19-year-old has registered nine goals and five assists in 34 appearances this campaign.

Likely to be one for the future, Fofana’s engenuity has allowed for 18 successful dribbles and 12 crosses delivered across the season alongside his 74 touches in the opposition area.

Arsenal will have faith in their ability to nurture his talent, but will need to decide whether they want to spend a large chunk of their budget on an upcoming star as opposed to someone in their peak years.

أعلنت قناة مفتوحة عن إذاعة مباراة منتخب مصر الأول أمام بوركينا فاسو والتي تجمع بينهما ضمن منافسات تصفيات كأس العالم 2026.

وتقام مباراة مصر ضد بوركينا فاسو، في إطار لقاءات الجولة الثامنة من التصفيات المؤهلة إلى مونديال 2026، على أرضية استاد 4 أغسطس.

ويخوض منتخب مصر اللقاء تحت قيادة المدير الفني حسام حسن، الذي يأمل في قيادة الفريق للفوز على حساب بوركينا فاسو ومواصلة تصدر جدول ترتيب المجموعة، وحسم بطاقة التأهل إلى كأس العالم.

وتضم المجموعة الأولى كلًا من مصر، بوركينا فاسو، سيراليون، جيبوتي، إثيوبيا وغينيا بيساو، ويأمل الفراعنة في تعزيز صدارتهم والتأهل رسميًا إلى نهائيات كأس العالم.

طالع | حازم إمام يُدافع عن تريزيجيه: كان أفضل من محمد صلاح.. والهجوم ضده مبالغ فيه

ويتصدر منتخب مصر ترتيب المجموعة الأولى برصيد 19 نقطة من 7 مباريات، متفوقًا على بوركينا فاسو صاحب المركز الثاني بـ14 نقطة. القنوات الناقلة لمباراة مصر وبوركينا فاسو في تصفيات كأس العالم 2026

ومن المقرر أن تذاع المباراة عبر قناة 2 mbc masr، وكذلك قناة ssc

ويسبق اللقاء بساعة استديو تحليلي موحّد على القناتين يقوم بإدارته: ابراهيم فايق، ويتواجد كل من: محمود عبدالرازق (شيكابالا) ومحمد بركات وأحمد عز ومحمود فايز. معلقو مباراة مصر وبوركينا فاسو في تصفيات كأس العالم 2026

وسيعلق على المباراة كل من فارس عوض على  2 mbc masr وعصام عبده على ssc.

It was a massive win, with Maxwell scoring the fastest century in World Cups, and Bas de Leede delivering the most expensive over in men’s ODI history

Vithushan Ehantharajah25-Oct-20233:11

Pujara: ‘Once Maxwell gets going nobody can stop him’

It was the most brutal of one-twos. First came David Warner with the jab, then Glenn Maxwell with the “lights out” uppercut. A 104 from the opener had the Netherlands weary, but it was Maxwell’s astonishing 106 from just 44 deliveries that administered the most devastating of knock-out blows. Australia posted 399 for 8, standing triumphantly at the halfway stage over floored opponents, who were unable to rise off the canvas, eventually succumbing to a chastening 309-run defeat – the largest in margin in men’s ODI World Cup history.Just 18 days after Aiden Markram had seized the record for the fastest century in ODI World Cups, against Sri Lanka at this very ground, Maxwell ripped it off him in nine fewer balls, needing just 40 to pass three figures. It was the culmination of an almighty assault on the Dutch bowlers, most notably Bas de Leede. The talented allrounder now has the ignominy of the most expensive figures in men’s ODIs, returning 2 for 115 – 43 of them coming in his last two (including 28 from the last), all courtesy Maxwell.Beyond saving the blushes of compatriots Mick Lewis and Adam Zampa – previous joint-holders of the most expensive figures in the format – Maxwell’s second World Cup century (and third overall) shifted the complexion of the match against a courageous Netherlands outfit. They had broadly kept Australia in check, even while Warner, coming off the back of 163 against Pakistan in the previous match, marched to a 22nd ODI hundred.ESPNcricinfo LtdWarner’s main allies were Steven Smith and Marnus Labuschagne, the more dominant partners in stands of 132 and 84 for the second and third wicket, respectively. Had Max O’Dowd not botched a pick-up at midwicket, Warner might have been run-out on 32 when both he and Smith found themselves at the non-striker’s end. Roelof van der Merwe was then adjudged to have grounded a sharp chance at midwicket when Warner had 73, before completing an equally tough grab at backward point to see off Smith for 71.Labuschagne’s dismissal – de Leede’s first, caught mid-off – was the first of three to fall for just 23 runs, culminating in Warner’s dismissal, paddling Logan van Beek to fine leg, well-taken by Aryan Dutt, two balls after registering a sixth World Cup century off 91. With ten overs to go, Australia were 268 for 5.Maxwell had come in at the end of the 39th over – the latest an ODI centurion has arrived at the crease – but only faced his first ball midway through the 41st. In retrospect, the back-to-back fours off de Leede to get him off the mark were a sign of things to come.He was probably culpable for Cameron Green’s run-out, pushing for two only for the allrounder – drafted in for Marcus Stoinis, who had a sore calf – to be found short of his ground with a direct hit. After Teja Nidamanuru failed to get to a difficult chance running back from mid-off when Maxwell was on 24, the carnage began.Adam Zampa got himself a third successive four-for•AFP/Getty ImagesFrom 35 off 21 – already a brisk start – Maxwell got out his reverse sweep for the first time to get Paul van Meekeren away over point, before smashing the follow-up slower ball over square leg for the first of eight sixes. Another reverse over point – this time all the way – brought the fifty up in 27 deliveries, before going over third two balls later, both off de Leede.A brace of conventional sixes followed in the 48TH over, bowled by van Beek, carted over wide mid-on and then sliced over cover point, sandwiching a pull to midwicket by Pat Cummins, possessor of the best seat in the house. Then came de Leede’s chastening final set; bunted down the ground for fours to start, before being launched into the stands at wide mid-on, over square leg and then further behind square after bowling an above-waist full toss as Maxwell stormed through to three figures.From first six to last, the white-ball phenom struck 66 runs from just 19 deliveries. Maxwell celebrated with a baby-rocking celebration, a nod to his wife and first child, Logan, who was born last month, both of whom arrived in India earlier this week.The free-hit was uncharacteristically scuffed for a single, de Leede getting out of the over with a dot to Cummins. Though Maxwell was able to begin the final over with a fortuitous boundary off van Beek, his innings ended two balls later courtesy of an excellent catch by Sybrand Engelbrecht at long-off. Mitchell Starc came and went for a golden duck – van Beek’s fourth – leaving Cummins, who had contributed just eight to the seventh-wicket stand of 104, to close out the innings with just his second boundary, smeared through midwicket.ESPNcricinfo LtdWith 400 to get, Netherlands opener Vikramjit was never going to die wondering, racing to 21 from 13 courtesy five fours. And though he would survive a run-out opportunity after O’Dowd left him high and dry with a dodgy call, saved by Josh Hazlewood’s awry throw after fielding in his follow-through, he was less fortunate on 25. A well-timed back-foot punch to mid-off found Maxwell, who had started the chase off the field, and, well…. you know what happened next.By then, O’Dowd had chopped Starc on to his own stumps. Colin Ackermann then fell lbw to Halzewood, before de Leede’s grim day was compounded with an appeal against Cummins for a similar dismissal that Hawkeye suggested was trimming leg stump. Engelbrecht’s seemingly perfect pull shot off Mitchell Marsh’s second ball nestled into hands of a leaping Warner just in front of the square-leg sponge, leaving Netherlands 62 for 5 at the first drinks break.The pause on the wickets lasted just 27 deliveries. Nidamanuru was unfortunate enough to glove Marsh down the leg side, then Zampa snared two-in-two, as van Beek cut to Josh Inglis and van der Merwe was trapped in front by a googly. Dutt survived the hat-trick ball – another googly – with a thick inside edge.He had no such luck when struck in front while on the back foot in Zampa’s next over. The legspinner then secured a third four-wicket haul in a row when Inglis managed to shovel the ball back on to the stumps after van Meekeren’s back foot had crept in front of the line following an attempted sweep.With that, Netherlands were 90 all out, their final five batters falling for just six runs. All the while, skipper Scott Edwards cut a forlorn figure at the other end. He will know a defeat of this magnitude will not define his team, though they now occupy an unflattering spot on the wrong side of history.

Will a change of manager signal a change in fortune for Ibrox side Rangers?

On Sunday night, following the weekend home defeat at the hands of St Mirren, it was announced that Philippe Clement had been sacked as manager of the Gers, having been, as Findlay Marks of the Scottish Football Show put it, a “dead man walking” ever since the Scottish Cup exit at the hands of Queen’s Park.

The following morning, the club confirmed that former captain Barry Ferguson, who made 409 appearances for the Gers across two spells, would be in interim charge for the rest of the season, alongside Neil McCann, Billy Dodds and Allan McGregor, all of whom are also ex-players.

The Ferguson-era begins at Rugby Park on Wednesday, a ground at which Rangers have lost six of 12 visits since December 2017, so they certainly cannot take Kilmarnock lightly, and the new caretaker boss’ first big decision should be to drop a stalwart of the starting lineup.

The Rangers star Ferguson must drop

Jack Butland joined Rangers in June 2023, simply looking to reinvigorate his career, having played just 17 matches across the previous three seasons, spending the second half of the previous campaign bench warming at Manchester United.

Fair to say he made an instant impression in Glasgow, pulling off a string of outstanding saves, instantaneously known colloquially as ‘Super Jack Butland’.

That is because, Christopher Jack of the Rangers Review believeds he ‘has been a huge figure between the sticks’, asserting that Butland is ‘the best keeper in Scotland by some distance’, while Stephen Halliday of the Times simply labelled his performances as ‘outstanding’.

Meantime, Ewan Murray of the Guardian notes the Englishman has been a ‘virtually an ever-present since joining’, while Archie Rhind-Tutt of ESPN & TNT Sports thought his ‘excellent form’ was going to earn him an England recall, having not featured for the Three Lions since September 2018, although this ultimately did not come to pass.

However, in more recent times, as Joshua Barrie of the Rangers Review puts it, ‘Butland’s form has suffered’.

Speaking on Sky Sports, new Rangers assistant manager Neil McCann described his performance at Motherwell in December as “unconvincing”, the goalkeeper’s ‘blushes spared’ by the fact the Steelmen had a late winner disallowed by VAR for rather soft foul by Tony Watt.

Butland has made a few high-profile mistakes, gifting Celtic the Scottish Cup back in May with former Rangers striker Ally McCoist describing his own goal at Old Trafford in January as a “howler”, leading to journalist Luke Hatfield labelling him ‘error-prone’.

This led to him being heavily criticised by supporters, so let’s analyse how Butland’s numbers compare this season to last.

As the table outlines, Butland’s statistics are unanimously worse this season than last, with his post-shot xG – goals allowed figure having nosedived from almost +2 to around -1.5, this the biggest indicator of his drop-off in form.

So, should new manager Ferguson unleash Butland’s deputy at Rugby Park on Wednesday night?

Jack Butland's back-up ready and waiting at Rangers

Back in early January Butland missed the New Year’s Old Firm due to internal bleeding, a match in which Rangers demolished fierce rivals Celtic 3-0, putting in, by far, their best performance under Clement.

Deputising for Butland that day was Liam Kelly, who was described as ‘reliable’ and ‘assured with the ball at his feet’, while Laura Brannan of the Scottish Football Show believes the 29-year-old to be a ‘fantastic’ goalkeeper.

As well as a clean sheet in the Glasgow derby, Kelly also enjoyed shutouts against Dundee and Aberdeen leading to, as noted by Aasif Rahman of Football Insider, supporters questioning why Clement has restored Butland after the understudy had ‘proven himself’ during the Englishman’s absence.

Since arriving from Motherwell in the summer, Kelly has made seven appearances in a Rangers jersey, keeping three clean sheet and conceding just six goals, making nine saves, which translates to a save percentage of 69.2%, higher than Butland’s aforementioned season figure of 63%.

Kelly himself stated “I’ve done alright”, adding he is “looking to go under the radar” by doing “whatever I need to do when called upon.”

Thus, with little left to play for in the Premiership, Ferguson should certainly give his backup goalkeeper opportunities to prove what he can do.

5 Rangers youngsters Barry Ferguson can now unleash at Ibrox

With Ferguson replacing Philippe Clement, he could turn to the club’s youth ranks as Rangers look to salvage what they can from their season.

By
Charlie Smith

Feb 26, 2025