Women players suing US Soccer say in court documents filed on Tuesday that the federation has acknowledged the jobs of men and women footballers require equal skill. The language seemed to signal a decrease in tension between the parties after language in documents filed by federation lawyers earlier in March provoked widespread outrage in saying that playing on the men's national team required a higher level of skill-based on speed and strength and carried greater responsibility. The fierce backlash, not only from the women players but from sponsors such as Coca-Cola, ultimately forced Carlos Cordeiro to resign as president of the federation, to be replaced by vice president Cindy Parlow Cone – a former US international. US Soccer brought in new legal counsel,
Coronavirus: “Injury is my toughest issue not Covid-19” says Loftus-Cheek
Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek admits battling to return from a serious Achilles injury while dealing with back problems has been a draining experience. Loftus-Cheek has been sidelined since suffering a torn Achilles tendon in a Chelsea friendly against New England Revolution in Boston last May. The 24-year-old England international was close to returning to action when the Premier League was suspended earlier this month because of the coronavirus. In an Instagram video discussing his long road to recovery, Loftus-Cheek said the power of positive thinking eventually helped him rehab the Achilles and handle his long-standing back problem. "My physical presence, how powerful I am, is my biggest strength," Loftus-Cheek said. "But my body is also my weakness. And that's just what I have to manage. "I
Arsenal News: Sagna reveals to have a piece of object in his head
The ex-Gunner was one of the Premier League's best right-backs during his time in north London but left in 2014 after growing disillusioned Bacary Sagna has opened up about leaving his ‘beloved’ Arsenal in 2014, admitting that he lost his head at the club’s reluctance to open contract talks. Having arrived in north London in 2007, Sagna quickly established himself as one of the best defenders in the Premier League with his consistent performances on the right side of Arsenal’s back four. He was named in the Premier League team of the year in 2008 and 2011 and went on to make 284 appearances for the Gunners during his seven-year stay with the club. But he left on a free transfer in the summer of 2014,
Coranavirus: As Roma delivers care boxes its notable fans
The current Coronavirus pandemic has plunged much of the world into unprecedented and uncertain times. But acts of kindness across the globe are providing much-needed light relief as people try to adapt to the new world they're living in. That is certainly the case in Rome, where one of the Italian capital's football teams, AS Roma, has started delivering emergency care packages to its most pronounced supporters. Italy continues to be one of the countries hardest hit by the coronavirus outbreak, registering more than 86,000 cases and another 969 deaths in the past 24 hours, which brings the death toll to more than 9,000. The entire country has been placed on lockdown, leaving many elderly people isolated and vulnerable. To combat this, Roma has started
Coronavirus: When is the football league gates will be reopen?
English football is heading towards its third weekend without games and, with no end in sight to the lockdown, the first cracks are beginning to appear in what had previously been a united front. In the "professional game", which covers the Premier League and Football League, there is now an acceptance there will be no immediate resumption. The Premier League clubs are due to meet again on 3 April, when it is almost certain the current postponement of all games until 30 April will be extended again. That will take it past the official end of the EFL league season and towards the last round of Premier League fixtures, which was supposed to be on 17 May. That would be getting very close to the
Premier League, say ‘difficult decisions’ to come for clubs
"Difficult decisions will have to be taken" to counter the financial impact of coronavirus on English football, say the Premier League, EFL and Professional Footballers' Association. All games have been postponed until at least 30 April and will only resume "when it is safe and conditions allow". A Premier League, EFL and PFA statement said their thoughts "continue to be with everyone affected by the virus". "We have agreed to work together to arrive at shared solutions," it added. Further meetings were set for next week "with a view to formulating a joint plan to deal with the difficult circumstances facing the leagues, their clubs, players, staff and fans". Premier League clubs were already due to meet again on 3 April, when it is almost
Roll back Coronavirus: Pep Guardiola donates 1m euros to fight Covid-19
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has donated 1m euros (£920,000) to fight the coronavirus outbreak in Spain. Guardiola, who is at his home in Barcelona, has been working with his lawyers over the past few days to work out the best way of using the money. It will go to a campaign being promoted by the Medical College of Barcelona and the Angel Soler Daniel Foundation. Spain is one of the worst affected countries in Europe. Official figures on Tuesday showed that 2,696 people had died in the country and close to 40,000 are infected. The money will be used to help purchase medical equipment and protective material for the hospital staff involved in treating those admitted to hospital. The Catalan region is one of the areas in
Chelsea News:Lampard is keen to sign Declan Rice of West Ham
Chelsea might not be playing much football at the moment – but there’s always drama down at the Bridge. Juventus have reportedly offered Miralem Pjanic in exchange for Maurizio Sarri favourite Jorginho and it has been revealed that top target Ben Chilwell is a lifelong Blues fan. The Blues are reportedly keen on re-signing Declan Rice from West Ham. Sky Sports claims Frank Lampard is on the hunt for a defensive midfielder this summer. And the English tactician has apparently earmarked Rice as the perfect man to protect Chelsea’s backline next season. Rice spent eight years coming up through the Blues’ academy and remains best pals with Mason Mount. But he was released in 2014 and ended up with rivals West Ham. Frank Lampard was spotted out
Coronavirus: Dybala and Paolo Maldini also test positive
Juventus and Argentina forward Paulo Dybala and former Italy captain Paolo Maldini have tested positive for coronavirus. In a message on his Instagram account, Dybala said he and his girlfriend both have the virus but were in good health. "Both Oriana and I have tested positive," Dybala, 26, said. "Luckily we are in perfect conditions." AC Milan technical director Maldini and his son Daniel both tested positive and a club statement said they "are well". The club added that Daniel Maldini, 18, had been training with the AC Milan first team and that he and his father, 51, had spent two weeks in self-isolation at home and would remain in quarantine "until clinically recovered". Dybala is the third Juve player to be confirmed to have the virus, following
Chelsea ‘tells’ Arsenal star wanted by Man United to join the club
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is a target for Chelsea and Manchester United Even Spanish giants Barcelona are interested in having the super striker Aubameyang's deal at Arsenal will come to an end at the end of next season Chelsea have reportedly joined Spanish giants Barcelona and Manchester United in the race to sign Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who could leave the Emirates this summer. Manchester United were the first to show interest in the signing of the Gabonese footballer whose contract at the club will expire in 2021. But according to the report on UK Sun, Arsenal chiefs are aware that the former Borussia Dortmund striker is not ready to sign a new deal at the Emirates stadium. Since joining Arsenal in January 2018, Emerick Aubameyang has scored