Latest news with #WORLDCUP2025
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Will Enzo Fernandez be punished for racism row? Latest update on Chelsea star's inflammatory song about Kylian Mbappe
ENZ GAME Will Enzo Fernandez be punished for racism row? Latest update on Chelsea star's inflammatory song about Kylian Mbappe ENZO FERNANDEZ takes on his old club Benfica tonight at the heart of the Chelsea revolution under boss Enzo Maresca. The Portuguese giants made a staggering £96million PROFIT when they sold the Argentinian midfielder to the Blues in 2023 — just six months after buying him for £10m. Advertisement 2 Chelsea star Enzo Fernandez will take on former side Benfica at the Club World Cup Credit: Getty 2 It comes nearly a year on from his racism storm with Argentina Even so, the fixture reopens old wounds over his departure — and a most unsavoury incident which took place a year ago next month. Benfica were angry at the way they claimed Chelsea unsettled their player and then ducked and dived during negotiations. But that's business. What is not 'business' is the cloud of racism hanging over the Blues' vice-captain that is not yet fully cleared. Fans back in England have seen plenty of great football from Fernandez this past 12 months. Advertisement WATCH EVERY MATCH OF THE CLUB WORLD CUP 2025 LIVE ON DAZN But nothing has been heard from the authorities charged with investigating the moment of madness that has followed the player around since he went viral for all the wrong reasons. Fernandez, 24, was filmed heartily joining in with dreadful songs alongside his Argentina team-mates questioning the heritage of black French players. The midfielder had just won Copa America for his country, only to let himself down massively when he should have been in a celebratory mood. Advertisement With a large contingent of black French players in Chelsea's squad — Wesley Fofana, Malo Gusto, Benoit Badiashile and Axel Disasi — the reaction was understandably incendiary. BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS The Instagram post also carried a transphobic jibe at French superstar Kylian Mbappe and a reported relationship with transgender model Ines Rau. Fernandez apologised profusely. Fofana and those affected by the bombshell video say they have accepted it and have moved on. Advertisement Chelsea vs Tottenham fan battle - 'Kane's better than Drogba at EVERYTHING' | Stoppage Time There certainly does not appear to be any disharmony over it within the Chelsea camp. For that, those players in the dressing room who were so hurt by the rash actions of a team-mate deserve unreserved respect and admiration. News of a 'probe' being launched was posted on social media not long after Argentina had beaten Colombia 1-0 in the final yet there is still no conclusion. Fifa says it is the responsibility of South America's governing body Conmebol and SunSport has contacted them for an update — but is yet to receive a reply. Advertisement Fernandez made a donation to an anti-discrimination charity as well as saying sorry to his team-mates, say Chelsea. And the club also claimed they would use the episode as an opportunity to 're-educate' their player. At the last time of asking there was no clear detail available of what that actually entails. The club wants to keep it in-house. And, in a remarkable show of defiance, new head coach Maresca backed his man by making him captain for the opening Premier League game of last season against Manchester City. Advertisement Fernandez appears to have put the whole thing behind him and is now a key figure in a team that is back in the Champions League. But the silence around the investigation into a moment of madness that went worldwide within hours — and damaged the reputation of a fine player and an upstanding football club — is deafening.
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Dictator Benito Mussolini's great-grandson, 22, ‘completes Euro giants transfer' after impressive season
The star has made attempts to distance himself from his great-grandfather THE great-grandson of dictator Benito Mussolini has completed a transfer to European giants Lazio. Romano Floriani Mussolini, 22, had spent the season on loan at Serie B outfit Juve Stabia from Lazio. 4 Romano Floriani Mussolini, great-grandson of Benito, has signed for Lazio after an impressive season on loan in the Serie B Credit: Getty 4 Benito Mussolini was the fascist ruler of Italy during World War Two before he was overthrown Credit: Getty 4 Mussolini had seen a buy option exercised by loaning side Juve Stabia, but Lazio triggered a buy-back option Credit: Getty The defender enjoyed an impressive season, making 37 appearances for Juve and helping them reach the play-offs before they were beaten in the semi-finals. That impressive season saw the club activate the option to buy him permanently on his loan from Lazio. However, the Serie A giants then exercised their counter-option in the deal to bring him back. A club statement confirmed these details were agreed last season in the initial loan agreement. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL IWONT STOP Ronaldinho held me as baby & Okocha's my uncle… I want to follow their footsteps It added: "The yellow-blue club thanks Romano for the professionalism, commitment and attachment to the jersey shown throughout the season." Born in 2003, Mussolini spent time in the Roma youth academy before eventually finding his way to bitter cross-town rivals Lazio. He has repeatedly attempted to distance himself from his great-grandfather, who was the fascist ruler of Italy before he was overthrown in 1943 and later executed in 1945, by saying he is not interested in politics. When Mussolini scored his first senior professional goal just before Christmas in 2024 against Cesena, echoes of his family name haunted him. WATCH EVERY MATCH OF THE CLUB WORLD CUP 2025 LIVE ON DAZN As the announcer read out his name following the goal, sections of the Juve fans appeared to perform fascist salutes and enthusiastic shouts of 'Mussolini'. The Italian football federation (FIGC) launched an investigation while the club issued a statement rejecting any connection between its fans and fascism. Christian Norgaard to Arsenal LATEST | Transfers Exposed It said: "For 117 years, the club has celebrated the goals of its team. "When the name of the scoring player is announced, we raise our arms to the sky as a sign of the team that is in our heart and which represents the city. This was once again the case with this goal." President Langella added: "We do not accept exploitation for a golden boy like Romano Floriani Mussolini. "The same thing goes for our fans, who have cheered as they have always done in the past with any other athlete." Parts of Lazio's fanbase are known to have links to far-right groups. In 2021, Lazio suspended Juan Bernabé, the falconer responsible for flying the club's eagle mascot before kick-off, after he was seen cheering for Benito Mussolini. 4 TRANSFER NEWS LIVE - KEEP UP WITH ALL THE LATEST FROM A BUSY SUMMER WINDOW
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Club World Cup star going back to day job as a PE teacher after scoring goal that netted amateur side $1MILLION
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE Club World Cup star who scored a $1million goal is heading back to his day job as a PE teacher. Christian Gray, 28, left his school behind to appear for part-time Auckland City in the United States alongside delivery drivers, forklift operators and a Coca-Cola salesman. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Christian Gray earned Auckland City $1m in prize money with his goal at the Club World Cup Credit: AP 3 After scoring past Boca Juniors, he will return to life as a PE teacher back home Credit: Getty But several members of the amateur squad missed out on playing against some of the world's biggest clubs - because they did not have enough annual leave. Gray was an unused sub in the 10-0 hammering by Bayern Munich then came off the bench in the 6-0 defeat to Benfica. But he earned himself a starting spot in Auckland's third and final group game against South American giants Boca Juniors, who had Edinson Cavani up front. And with his side trailing 1-0 at half-time, Gray headed in from a corner to score a dramatic equaliser. READ MORE ON FOOTBALL THAT'S WRIGHT Madelene Wright puts on busty display in lacy lingerie that wows fans WATCH EVERY MATCH OF THE CLUB WORLD CUP 2025 LIVE ON DAZN Despite Boca's 40 shots, Gray and Auckland held on for an unlikely but famous draw in Nashville, earning the New Zealanders $1m (£727,000) in Fifa prize money. Now the centre-back must head back home and crack on with marking his students' papers during the school holidays. Player-of-the-match Gray said: "I'm a PE teacher. "When I get home, I've got a few assignments that have piled up over the last month so that's what I'll be going back to and the school holidays thankfully. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS "I'm from a small town, a long way from here and a lot different to this environment. So it is somewhat of a dream so I'm a little bit lost for words. "We'll be going back to our day jobs, that's the reality for us." Inter Milan star Denzel Dumfries chased off the pitch as huge brawl breaks out after fiery Club World Cup clash But he will have some stories to tell his pupils when he returns to Auckland Grammar School from his Club World Cup American adventure, capped off in perfect style. Gray added: "I don't love the spotlight. I'll leave that to the other boys, but, yes, a lot of emotions. "It's been a tough trip. We've had some tough results, but I'm just happy for the team and the boys. I think we deserve it. 'We've got a little bit of respect." Boca failed to advance to the knockout stages as Benfica topped Group C and will play Chelsea in the last 16. Bayern had to settle for second and will take on Flamengo - with the winners facing Paris Saint-Germain or Inter Miami.
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Chelsea have ALREADY paid off Liam Delap transfer fee with Club World Cup earnings alone
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LIAM DELAP is off the mark - after putting Chelsea in the black. At least in terms of the striker's £30million arrival from Ipswich just three weeks ago. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Liam Delap celebrated firing his first ever goal for Chelsea Credit: Getty 3 Delap slotted the Blues' second in a comfortable win over Tunis Credit: Getty Delap angled his first ever goal for the Blues as a 3-0 win over ES Tunis booked a place in the Club World Cup knockout stages. Reaching the last 16 means Chelsea have already earned £33.8m from the CWC. That more than covers the 22-year-old's transfer fee - by £3.8m, in fact. Admittedly, that extra bit barely pays the first eight months of Delap's salary. READ MORE CHELSEA NEWS TOP OF THE WORLD Fans say Chelsea have 'scammed their way to CWC final' after Kane blunder The former England Under-21 ace signed on at Stamford Bridge until 2031 for around £100,000 a week - £5.2m every 12 months. Chelsea didn't even have to break sweat in the fierce heat of the USA to make the opening £25m from the CWC. WATCH EVERY MATCH OF THE CLUB WORLD CUP 2025 LIVE ON DAZN 3 The summer buy admits he loves the 'aggressive' side of frontplay Credit: Getty Because that sum was just for participating in the 64-team tournament. The Blues then got nothing in more senses than one in their first Group D clash as Flamengo roared back to triumph 3-1. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK But victories over Los Angeles and Tunis scooped £1.5m each. That's £3m - with another £5.8m for making the KO phase. Fans convinced Chelsea have 'scammed their way to Club World Cup final' after Harry Kane's horror last second miss Cold, hard cash - after bringing in a forward known for his bold, hard play. Delap relishes that bash-and-grab side of the game, something like that of an old-fashioned targetman. He said: "Yeah, I love those battles. I always have since I was a kid. "I really love the aggressive side of it and the competitive nature of the squad. "It's got to be controlled at times but it's my game ultimately and I enjoy it." And he's also far from fazed at Chelsea handing him the iconic No.9 shirt. Big-name stars Fernando Torres, Radamel Falcao, Alvaro Morata, Gonzalo Higuain and Romelu Lukaku all struggled for the Blues in that top. But Delap told talkSPORT: 'I chose it. At the end of the day, it's just a number on the back of your shirt. "The number nine has always been related to strikers, so it's something I like, but there is no pressure." It's too early of course to judge if Delap will be a hit with that top. But financially, his numbers are already more than adding up for Chelsea.
Scottish Sun
6 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
I was told I'd never play football again after going blind in one eye, now I'm set to face PSG in the Club World Cup
Doctors told him they had not seen anything like it in nearly four decades 'It's unbelievable' I was told I'd never play football again after going blind in one eye, now I'm set to face PSG in the Club World Cup ONLY two years ago, Georgi Minoungou was told he would never play football again. However, now he is set to line up against the champions of Europe, Paris Saint-Germain, at the Club World Cup. 5 Georgi Minoungou fought back from a horror eye injury to star at the Club World Cup Credit: EPA 5 The Ivorian winger underwent surgery in 2023 in his left eye after his eye grew swollen and filled with blood Credit: Getty Advertisement 5 Doctors told him he would never play football again Credit: Getty 5 But in a stunning story the heroic 22-year-old stars for Seattle Sounders Credit: AP Seattle Sounders star, Minoungou, was hit by an eye infection in the summer of 2023 that left him without vision in his left eye following a series of unexpected events during a Marbella training camp. For many, such a severe setback would be life-changing, let alone spelling the end of a footballer's career. Advertisement However, Minoungou has shown an incredible resilience and determination to forge a living out of playing football - even if it is something the 22-year-old is too humble to say out loud. Speaking to Sportbible, he said: "I wasn't supposed to be here. I should've retired at 20. But now, every game is like a final to me." Ivorian winger Minoungou arrived in the United States in 2022 after a 20-hour flight to Washington from Czech second-tier side MFK Vyskov to join Tacoma Defiance, the reserve team of Seattle Sounders, on loan. All he had with him was a suitcase, a poor grasp of English and his footballing skills which he had been polishing at the age of two. Advertisement But from humble beginnings in the small town of Batiebly, his football skills shone through and earned him a permanent move ahead of the 2023 season - the club's first-ever international transfer. He said: "There was already a contract prepared for me to join the first team permanently. WATCH EVERY MATCH OF THE CLUB WORLD CUP 2025 LIVE ON DAZN "Everyone was happy – coaches, staff. Everything was in place. Then we came back from the game, and it happened." Minoungou had scored in a friendly against Swedish side Hammarby IF. Advertisement Jude Bellingham reveals rivalry with brother Jobe at Club World Cup in cheeky interview However, just days after being described as a "special" player by assistant coach Predrag Radosavljevic, disaster struck as the Ivorian was forced to sit on the sidelines, before things got much worse. After a few training sessions, his eye had grown swollen and itchy. Three days passed and it became full of blood, and it had undergone a full colour change by the time another week passed. Minoungou recalled how one shocked specialist admitted they had not seen "anything like it in 38 years," and even described his look as having been hit five times simultaneously with a ball. Doctors eventually put him under the knife, where they discovered the nerves in his left eye were completely dead, speculating the origin could have been from a tumour or cancer, or even something he had had as a child - with as many as six MRI scans failing to pinpoint the reason. Hyphema was another diagnosis put forward, but it did not matter to, Minoungou who only wanted to play as he said: "I'd worked so hard for that first-team contract, and now it felt like my whole life was falling apart. Advertisement "Then the doctor told me something that hit even harder: 'Georgie, I don't think you'll be able to play football again'." While his eye had been saved, his vision hadn't, and the emotional experience left him feeling like he had fallen from the 100th floor of a high-rise block of apartments. Doctors had prepared the paperwork to say he couldn't play anymore, but Minoungou asked them to give him a week to prove he could still play. And despite going against doctor's orders and only being able to see one side of the pitch, Minoungou had team-mates jokingly asking him if he was sure he could see with just one eye after he managed to dribble past everyone. It took around six months for the winger to make a full recovery, making his comeback on the pitch before he eventually made his Major League Soccer debut against LA Galaxy in May last year. Advertisement He had to wait a little longer for his first goal, which finally arrived in November against Vancouver, but his hard work has paid off, and now he will have the chance to test his skills against one of the world's best in Nuno Mendes. The two-time MLS Cup champions take on PSG at Lumen Field at 8pm tonight. Minoungou, who still has to go to the hospital every six months or so for a routine check-up up concluded by revealing what he would say to the 2023 version of himself. He said: "I'd look at that version of me and say, 'Bro, you did great not giving up. "If you had, you'd have missed one of the biggest games of your life.' I'll probably face Nuno Mendes – and he's one of the best left-backs in the world right now. Man… it's unbelievable." Advertisement
