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Oliver Dowden

FIFA chief to break silence as Super League plunges Europe into crisis

FIFA president Gianni Infantino is expected to deliver his verdict on the European Super League on Tuesday after the widely condemned breakaway competition triggered threats of legal action and punitive measures. European body UEFA will look to support from the world football chief at its congress in Switzerland as it attempts to quash an initiative that threatens its prized Champions League and the health of domestic competitions such as England’s Premier League. Twelve powerful clubs – six from England, and three each from Spain and Italy – have signed up for the Super League, which offers guaranteed spots for its founding members and billions of dollars in payments. Currently, clubs have to qualify for the Champions League each year through their national competitions, and face a length...

‘It’s right that we allow’: Newcastle receive massive boost in the takeover process

The Newcastle United takeover process is taking a long time to reach a conclusion and quite naturally the fans are getting nervous and anxious. A deal in the region of £300 million has been agreed between Mike Ashley and the Newcastle potential owners. The deal has been agreed, while the potential new owners have signed a contract as well. The would-be new owners – Amanda Staveley’s consortium — comprising her company PCP Capital Partners (10 per cent), the billionaire Reuben brothers (10 per cent) and the 80 per cent majority stakeholding of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) – have done their part, and are awaiting the official confirmation from the Premier League. There are objections of human rights violations and piracy against the Saudi consortium. Last week, ...

Chelsea star arrested on suspicion of rape

Chelsea star Callum Hudson-Odoi was arrested on Sunday on suspicion of rape following an alleged incident at his west London apartment. The Metropolitan Police said in a statement that both they and the London Ambulance Service were called in the early hours of Sunday, May 17 to a report of an unwell woman. The statement added: “When emergency services attended, a woman reported that she was raped. She was taken to hospital.“A man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of rape. He was released from custody and bailed to return on a date in mid-June. Enquiries continue.” Sunday’s alleged incident comes just weeks after Hudson-Odoi battled the coronavirus, which he was diagnosed with on March 12 . The teenager was the first Premier League player to be diagnosed with the illness, coming short...