Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami will face Egyptian club Al Ahly in the opening game of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup while Premier League champions Manchester City will face Juventus in the opening group stage of FIFA’s controversial restructuring of the tournament. Chelsea will take on Brazil giants Flamengo in the United States next summer.
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The Republic of Ireland will do battle with Bulgaria in March in a promotion/relegation play-off in the Nations League. Today’s draw at UEFA HQ for the play-off had Ireland with four potential opponents from League C, in a two-legged clash to stay in League B. Ireland avoided Kosovo, Slovakia and Armenia but have been paired with Bulgaria.
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The PGMOL has confirmed it is aware of a new video which appears to show suspended Premier League referee David Coote snorting a white powder while reportedly working at Euro 2024 last summer. The latest video, which has been published by The Sun, comes after Coote was suspended on Monday by the PGMOL for a separate video that appeared to show him making derogatory comments about Liverpool and their former manager Jurgen Klopp.
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Concerns over the future of San Siro mean it will not host the 2026/27 UEFA Champions League final. The governing body has stripped the stadium of the rights to stage the game, as its future remains up in the air. UEFA are worried “the Municipality of Milano could not guarantee that the San Siro and its surroundings would not be affected by refurbishments” and have re-opened the bidding process.
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Cristiano Ronaldo scored a fine double as a classy Portugal side signed off before Euro 2024 by comfortably beating the Republic of Ireland in Aveiro. Joao Felix opened the scoring for a much-changed Portugal side in the first half, curling home after the hosts caught the Republic out with a short corner. Ronaldo then fired an unstoppable effort into the top corner early in the second half and doubled his tally with a sweeping finish on the hour mark.
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