Inter warm up for Champions League final by beating Torino

Inter Milan s Bosnian forward Edin Dzeko (C) outruns Torino s Serbian midfielder Ivan Ilic (R) during the Italian Serie A football match between Torino and Inter on June 3, 2023 at the Olympic stadium in Turin. Photo: AFP

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Inter warmed up for the Champions League final with Saturday's 1-0 win at Torino which provisionally pushed them up to second in Serie A on the final weekend of the season.

Marcelo Brozovic struck the only goal of the game in the 37th minute in Turin when he turned on the edge of the area and lashed in his third of the season.

Simone Inzaghi's side, who face Manchester City in Istanbul next weekend, are a single point above Lazio who are at Empoli in one of the day's two late games.

Inter are already sure of competing in next season's edition of Europe's top club competition as they are 11 points above fifth-placed Atalanta.

They would have won more convincingly had Edin Dzeko's late effort not clipped the wrong side of the post.

With a full week to go until their showdown with English champions City in Turkey, Inzaghi picked a strong side to take on Torino, a tough team who were hoping for European football.

Ivan Juric's Torino sit ninth and three points behind Fiorentina who will finish eighth, which could offer a spot in Europe if seventh-placed Juventus are barred from continental competition by UEFA for financial irregularities.

Hazard ends frustrating stint at Real Madrid, Asensio also leaving

Marco Asensio won 17 titles at Real Madrid. Photo: AFP

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Eden Hazard's frustrating stint at Real Madrid has officially ended after the Spanish club announced on Saturday it will be parting ways with him and fellow forward Marco Asensio.

While the 32-year-old Hazard barely played for Madrid in recent years, Asensio was a useful backup and scorer off the bench.

Hazard had one more year on the five-year contract he signed when he arrived on a blockbuster 100-million-euro transfer from Chelsea in 2019. The Belgium forward was plagued by nagging injuries from the start and fell out of contention for playing time.

Madrid said in a statement it “reached a deal” with Hazard “whereby the player will leave the club as of 30 June 2023.”

Madrid did not mention if Hazard will move to another club.

Asensio, 27, had a contract that expired this month.

The club added that little-used striker Mariano was also leaving.

Madrid stars Karim Benzema, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos all have contacts that expire at the end of the month.

PSG announce Messi leaving club after final match of the season

(FILES) Despite some fine goals and inspired passes, Lionel Messi s time at Paris Saint-Germain did not leave the lasting impression he had hoped for, ending his two seasons with whistles and an unauthorised outing. Photo: AFPfbarena.com

Lionel Messi is leaving Paris Saint-Germain after their final match of the season on Saturday, the Ligue 1 champions said on social media.

"After two seasons in the capital, Leo Messi's adventure with Paris Saint-Germain will come to a conclusion at the end of the 2022-23 season," the club said in a widely expected announcement.

The club said the 35-year-old would play some role in the Ligue 1 match against Clermont at the Parc des Princes on Saturday.

The Argentinian was signed two seasons ago from Barcelona to help PSG win an elusive Champions League, but he failed in that aim.

The French club were beaten in the Champions League last 16 by Real Madrid last season and suffered the same fate this year at Bayern Munich's hands.

Messi, who has won the Ballon d'Or seven times, has earned an estimated annual salary of 30 million euros ($32.1 million) after tax at Qatar-backed PSG.

He led Argentina to victory against France in the World Cup final in Qatar in December.

But having poured his efforts into that long-awaited triumph for his country, his was unable to lead PSG past Bayern in the Champions League.

Messi was even jeered by some supporters at the Parc des Princes despite scoring 32 goals in 74 games for PSG before Saturday's final match.

His relationship with the club soured further earlier this season when he skipped training for an unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia to fulfil his commitments as a tourism ambassador for the Gulf state.

A one-week suspension followed, and there was no prospect of Messi signing a new deal in Paris after that.

Barcelona, the club where he has played most of his career, would love him to return but the possibility has appeared to be fading in recent weeks.

Instead, Saudi Arabia might be his next destination.

A source with knowledge of the Saudi negotiations told AFP last month that it was a "done deal" for him to play in the Saudi Arabian league, although Messi's father Jorge denied then that his son had decided his next destination.

Inter Miami have also reportedly made an offer to take him to Major League Soccer.

'Best player in history'

After all he won at Barcelona, and his World Cup triumph with Argentina, the French league may not mean that much to Messi when he looks back on his career.

As journalist Vincent Deluc noted in France's leading sports daily L'Equipe: "PSG have not been better than they were before because of him... and he seemed to have as much desire to play in Ligue 1 as he did to go to the dentist."

Nevertheless, Messi has still left his mark on those who have worked with him and come up against him.

He was nominated for this season's French player of the year prize, even if he missed out on the award to PSG forward Kylian Mbappe.

"I have had the privilege to coach the best player in the history of football," said PSG boss Christophe Galtier this week.

"This year he has been an important part of the team. I have never thought that the criticism of him was justified at all, when he is 35 and there is a World Cup in the middle of the season and yet I think he has scored or set up more than 40 goals in all competitions.

"It has been a great privilege not to coach him but to accompany him throughout the season."

Man Utd have made 'big steps' despite FA Cup pain: Fernandes

Manchester United s Bruno Fernandes reacts after Manchester City scored their side s second goal during the English FA Cup final soccer match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Wembley Stadium in London, Saturday, June 3, 2023. Photo: AP

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Bruno Fernandes said Manchester United had made "big steps for next season" despite their bitter 2-1 defeat at the hands of Manchester City in the FA Cup final on Saturday.

Ilkay Gundogan scored the fastest goal in an FA Cup final, with just 12 seconds on the clock at Wembley.

Fernandes levelled from the penalty spot but Gundogan struck the winner early in the second half.

United broke their six-year trophy drought in February, beating Newcastle in the League Cup final, and finished third in the Premier League in Erik ten Hag's first season at the helm.

But they were second best in the London sunshine as Premier League champions City remained on course for a treble.

"Everyone is down and it's really difficult," United captain Fernandes told the BBC. "We wanted to end the season in a different way but it wasn't possible.

"We've made big steps for next season. It wasn't a successful season overall but it was a good one. We have to come back next season and try to win bigger trophies."

Fernandes said City deserved the win.

"We were too soft and gave up too much space for the first goal but it's an amazing strike," he said of Gundogan's stunning early opener.

"If players are tighter then maybe they can stop it but it's an amazing strike."

The Portuguese midfielder said United's supporters deserved more.

"Our fans have been great all season and they deserved a different result today," he said. "We're disappointed that we couldn't give the fans the joy they deserve.

"We are grateful for everything they have done this season. I promise we will come and try again next season."

Gundogan double secures FA Cup for Manchester City

Manchester City players celebrate winning the English FA Cup final soccer match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Wembley Stadium in London, Saturday, June 3, 2023. Photo: AP

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Manchester City are one game away from a historic treble after Ilkay Gundogan scored twice to beat Manchester United 2-1 in the FA Cup final on Saturday.

Pep Guardiola's men completed a domestic double at Wembley and can become just the second side, after United in 1998/99, to win the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League in the same season should they beat Inter Milan to become European champions for the first time on June 10.

Gundogan scored the fastest goal in FA Cup final history after just 12 seconds.

United levelled on 33 minutes through Bruno Fernandes' penalty after Jack Grealish was harshly penalised for handball.

But the City captain, in what could be his final game for the club on English soil, volleyed home the winner six minutes into the second-half.

The first ever major final between the Manchester giants had the most explosive of starts.

Most of the 83,000 crowd were still taking their seats from the pre-match festivities when Victor Lindelof's headed clearance sat up perfectly for Gundogan to volley home a stunning strike after just 12 seconds.

That appeared to set the tone for the Premier League champions.

Rodri headed into the side-netting moments later before Erling Haaland failed to get a clean connection on Gundogan's enticing cross.

United were barely able to get across the halfway line in the first half hour, but got the break they needed to get back into the game.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka's header back across the City box brushed the arm of Grealish and referee Paul Tierney was instructed to review the incident by VAR.

Despite City's protestations, Tierney pointed to the spot and Fernandes coolly sent Stefan Ortega the wrong way.

The Portuguese's celebrations in front of the City fans were met with a flurry of objects thrown from the stands, one of which struck Lindelof.

City boss Pep Guardiola was also showing his fury at the officiating as VAR did not intervene seven minutes before half-time when Kevin De Bruyne was wiped out by Fred inside the area and no penalty was awarded.

De Gea question mark

At the other end, United passed up a great chance to turn the game around before half-time when Raphael Varane fired high and wide at the back post from a corner.

Having fought so hard to gain a foothold, United were made to pay for another slow start in the second-half.

Gundogan was the goalscorer again as he fired home from De Bruyne's free-kick.

But more questions will be asked of whether David De Gea remains the right man to be United's number one goalkeeper after the 32-year-old Spaniard's sluggish attempt to keep it out.

De Gea did at least make a big save with his legs to deny De Bruyne a third to keep United in the game on the hour mark.

Gundogan thought he had a rare FA Cup final hat-trick 20 minutes from time, but was flagged offside when he turned in the rebound after De Gea denied Haaland his 53rd goal of the season.

United rallied in a tense finale as Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho flashed efforts inches off target.

The ball came back off the City bar in a goalmouth scramble deep into stoppage time.

However, the Red Devils could not find the goal to deny Guardiola an 11th major trophy as City boss and protect the unique legacy of Alex Ferguson's great side 24 years ago.

Only Inter in Istanbul in a week's time now stand between City and matching the greatest achievement English club football has ever seen.

Video: Man City's Gundogan scores fastest-ever FA Cup final goal

Manchester City s German midfielder Ilkay Gundogan (C) celebrates after scoring the early opening goal during the English FA Cup final football match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Wembley stadium, in London, on June 3, 2023. Photo: AFP

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Manchester City captain Ilkay Gundogan scored the fastest goal in FA Cup final history on Saturday, slamming the ball past Manchester United's David de Gea with just 12 seconds on the clock.

Treble-chasing City came into the match at Wembley as firm favourites but could not have dreamed of such a start in the London sunshine.

The goal beat the previous record of 25 seconds set by Everton's Louis Saha in the 2009 final against Chelsea.

City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega hit a long ball that was headed on and landed at the feet of Gundogan, who lashed home from the edge of the box, giving De Gea no chance.

Bruno Fernandes equalised for United from the penalty spot in the 33rd minute after VAR ruled Jack Grealish had handled in the area and the sides went in level at the break.

City, who have already wrapped up the Premier League title, are aiming to match United's 1999 treble by winning the FA Cup and beating Inter Milan in the Champions League final on June 10.

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Preview: Manchester derby in FA Cup final, Messi's last game for PSG

Paris Saint-Germain s Argentine forward Lionel Messi runs with the ball next to Strasbourg s French defender Lucas Perrin (R) during the French L1 football match between RC StrasLa Libourg Alsace and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at Stade de la Meinau in Strasbourg, eastern France on May 27, 2023. AFP

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Manchester City and Manchester United meet in a FA Cup final with so much riding on it

ENGLAND

Manchester City and Manchester United meet in a FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium with so much riding on it. City is looking to complete the second leg of a potential treble of trophies, having already won the Premier League and reached the final of the Champions League against Inter Milan in Istanbul on June 10.

Only one team has won all of those trophies in one season — Man United in 1999.

As well as preserving that unique achievement, United is bidding to win a second domestic trophy this season, having captured the League Cup in February.

FRANCE

Lionel Messi bids farewell to Paris Saint-Germain after two seasons in the capital that have left a taste of unfinished business. Messi was brought to PSG to help the club win the Champions League.

Instead, PSG bowed out in the last 16 in both seasons with the World Cup winner in the squad. Messi's numbers with PSG, however, are not too bad ahead of Saturday’s final match of Ligue 1 against Clermont at the Parc des Princes: 32 goals in 74 games, according to league statistics.

Messi, the top provider in the league this season with 16 assists, has been regularly whistled and booed by PSG ultras in recent weeks and club officials hope it won't happen again for his finale. PSG was crowned champion for a record 11th time last weekend, ahead of Lens and Marseille.

With the top three spots settled, focus will be on Lille, Rennes and Monaco, who are battling for the two remaining European places. Also, eight-time champion Nantes hosts last-placed Angers and hoping to avoid relegation.

Nantes is in a two-way fight with Auxerre to determine who goes down alongside already-relegated Troyes, Ajaccio and Angers.

GERMANY

Leipzig bids to retain the German Cup when it plays Eintracht Frankfurt in the final in Berlin. It could be the last Frankfurt game for in-demand French striker Randal Kolo Muani, and it will certainly be the last game for coach Oliver Glasner.

Frankfurt’s Europa League title last season and solid performances in this season’s cup and Champions League burnished Glasner’s reputation but some poor results in the Bundesliga took their toll and Frankfurt said last month he would leave at the end of the season.

A win for Leipzig would be a reward for coach Marco Rose, who took charge in September after a poor start to the season and guided the team to third in the league. Leipzig forward Christopher Nkunku is expected to join Chelsea in the offseason.

ITALY

Torino needs to win at home against Champions League finalist Inter Milan in Serie A to retain a chance of qualifying for the Europa Conference League.

A win would see Torino move back into eighth place and that could be enough if Juventus is excluded from European competition by UEFA. Having already secured a spot in the top four of Serie A, Inter could rest some players ahead of next weekend’s Champions League final against Manchester City.

Lazio has also already qualified for next season’s Champions League and it visits Empoli in its final match of the season. Relegated Cremonese will be looking to sign off with a win when it hosts Salernitana.

UEFA charge Mourinho for abusing referee after Europa League final

AS Roma s Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho (C) is held back during an argument during the UEFA Europa League final football match between Sevilla FC and AS Roma at the Puskas Arena in Budapest on May 31, 2023. Photo: AFP

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UEFA began disciplinary proceedings on Friday against AS Roma coach Jose Mourinho for using insulting and abusive language against the referee in the Europa League final against Sevilla.

Mourinho was filmed repeatedly calling English referee Anthony Taylor a "disgrace" in a profanity-laced tirade in the stadium car park in Budapest after Wednesday's final, which Roma lost in a penalty shootout.

Roma will also be charged after their supporters threw objects and lit fireworks and caused crowd disturbances.

Sevilla were charged with similar infractions.

Taylor booked 13 players, seven of them Roma players, while the bad-tempered game was littered with delays due to the unusually high number of fouls.

The English referee was then targeted by angry Roma supporters at Budapest Airport.

Referees' body PGMOL said: "We are appalled at the unjustified and abhorrent abuse directed at Anthony and his family as he tries to make his way home from refereeing the UEFA Europa League final."

De Bruyne, Grealish ready for City's FA Cup showdown with United

Manchester City s head coach Pep Guardiola greets fans at the end of the English Premier League soccer match between Brentford and Manchester City at the Gtech Community Stadium in London, Sunday, May 28, 2023. Photo: AP

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Pep Guardiola says Kevin De Bruyne and Jack Grealish are fit to feature for treble-chasing Manchester City in their FA Cup final showdown against Manchester United on Saturday.

De Bruyne, Grealish, Ruben Dias and Manuel Akanji all missed City's last Premier League game of the season at Brentford last week.

But City boss Guardiola revealed on Friday that the quartet have returned to training and are expected to be involved in the first all-Manchester FA Cup final at Wembley.

"They've trained well in the last two training sessions. They are all of them, more or less, fine," he said.

Guardiola has also confirmed Stefan Ortega will start in goal against United instead of regular first choice keeper Ederson.

Ortega, who started two of City's last three league games, has not conceded a goal in the FA Cup this season.

It is a bold move from Guardiola, whose side are two wins away from becoming only the second English club -- after United in 1999 -- to win the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League in the same season.

"Stefan is going to play. I have always been like that in the FA Cup. The keeper who has played in the FA Cup is going to play in the FA Cup final," Guardiola said.

Although City surged to the title with a blistering run of 12 successive league victories and finished 14 points ahead of United, Guardiola has no intention of underestimating Erik ten Hag's team.

United beat City 2-1 in January, avenging their 6-3 loss earlier in the campaign, and also ended their six-year trophy drought by lifting the League Cup in February.

Guardiola has been impressed Ten Hag's work in his first season at Old Trafford.

"I look at a manager on how his team improve. When you see a team better and better, in a league that is not easy, you identify a really good manager," he said.

"He represents our profession in the best way possible. I can't say we are friends, we are not in touch much, but I think United have an exceptional manager for many, many years."

If City beat United, they can complete the treble in the Champions League final against Inter Milan in Istanbul on June 10.

But Guardiola urged his players not to look ahead to their bid for a first Champions League crown.

"Thinking about titles, the second or third, we have to analyse the strength of our opponent, look at the weaknesses they have," he said.

"Everything surrounding is normal, you cannot control it. It's special for itself but the question what United have done for the past five months means they are a completely different team.

"They were better when we lost but we played good. I have the feeling that they have improved, the playing patterns are more clear.

"We've done really, really well against them during my time but it's United, the quality of player has always been there."

Man Utd face Antony fitness blow ahead of FA Cup final

Chelsea s Cesar Azpilicueta, left, in action as Manchester United s Anthony Martial scores his side s second goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Chelsea at the Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, England, Thursday, May 25, 2023. Photo: AP

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Erik ten Hag fears Manchester United forward Antony is "unlikely" to recover from injury in time for Saturday's FA Cup final against Manchester City.

Antony was stretchered off during the first half of last week's Premier League win against Chelsea.

United boss Ten Hag had hoped the Brazilian could return to face treble-chasing City in the first all-Manchester FA Cup final.

But Antony has made slow progress this week and looks set to be sidelined at Wembley.

"Unlikely (he will be fit)," Ten Hag told reporters on Friday. "Dos Santos (Antony) still has a chance but it's a really small chance.

"He didn't make the progress, so he still has a chance but unlikely he is available."

Anthony Martial's injury-hit season will also end on the sidelines.

The 27-year-old strained a hamstring towards the end of Sunday's win against Fulham and he will miss the final after scans showed a muscle tear.

Despite the fitness issues plaguing his team, Ten Hag remains confident United have the squad strength to beat arch rivals City.

"These questions so many times about the absence of players in the last couple of months," he said.

"Every time I say the same answer: it's about the players who are available and many times we were successful.

"We have a good squad and from that good squad we make a good team."

United are looking to complete the domestic cup double for the first time, having lifted the League Cup in February.

Meanwhile, Premier League champions City can become only the second English club after United to win the top-flight title, the FA Cup and the Champions League in one season.

City face Inter Milan in the Champions League final on June 10.

United fans are desperate for their side to extinguish those dreams as Pep Guardiola's men look to replicate Alex Ferguson's 1999 treble heroes.

"We want to win, we want to win a cup," Ten Hag said. "It's not about stopping them. It is about that we win, that we win the cup. We have a great opportunity.

"That's great that we deserved that opportunity to be in the cup final and then meet Man City. That's a great opportunity.

"We fought so hard for it. I think we progressed that well that we are in that FA Cup final."

City won this season's first Manchester derby 6-3 at the Etihad Stadium, with United coming back to win 2-1 at Old Trafford in January.

United finished 14 points behind City, who won a fifth title in six seasons, and Ten Hag is well aware of the quality posed by the champions.

"They play very good football, so they deserve it. Of course I look at others because they are opponents and I evaluate it, but we look to ourselves," he said.

"We make very good progress, we are in a good direction and now we use the coming period as well.

"Now we get the opportunity in the summer to make new targets, new goals on the short term.

"But the longer term, yeah, that will stay the same. As I said last year, we want to restore Man United but we have a way to go."

Champions League final referee keeps job after apologizing for controversy

FILES- Polish referee Szymon Marciniak officiates during the Qatar 2022 World Cup final football match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, north of Doha on December 18, 2022. Photo: AFP

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Polish soccer referee Szymon Marciniak apologized Friday for speaking at a business event tied to a far-right politician and was confirmed by UEFA to officiate next week’s Champions League final.

Marciniak’s appointment for the game between Manchester City and Inter Milan on June 10, months after he refereed the World Cup final in Qatar, was at risk Thursday after a Warsaw-based anti-racism group alerted UEFA to his conference appearance this week.

UEFA said Friday it accepted Marciniak’s “profound apologies and clarification” and that anti-racism group Never Again had also then asked for the referee to be retained.

“I want to express my deepest apologies for my involvement and any distress or harm it may have caused,” Marciniak wrote in a statement published by UEFA, adding he was “gravely misled and completely unaware” of the links to Slawomir Mentzen, a leader of the far-right Confederation party.

“I had no knowledge that (the conference) was associated a Polish extreme-right movement. Had I been aware of this fact, I would have categorically declined the invitation,” the referee wrote. “I am committed to learning from this experience and ensuring that such lapses in judgment do not occur in the future.”

UEFA noted Never Again’s acceptance of the Marciniak apology and by “firmly asserting that removing him would undermine the promotion of anti-discrimination.”

“Based on the information provided, UEFA confirms that Mr. Marciniak will fulfil his role as the referee for the 2023 UEFA Champions League final,” the European soccer body said.

Marciniak is widely seen as the world’s best referee and was supported Friday by Poland’s government as UEFA considered removing him from next week’s match in Istanbul. Polish media reported that Marciniak had been dropped by UEFA but efforts were being made to restore him.

Marciniak wrote on his Instagram account late Thursday that he “never supported nor legitimized any political party, organization or individual politician.”

However, neither the Instagram post nor an earlier statement to Never Again offered an apology or acknowledged the possibility of an error of judgment.

Polish sports minister Kamil Bortniczuk defended Marciniak earlier Friday. He wrote in a letter to UEFA circulated by national media that the referee’s speech at an event this week had “nothing to do with politics.”

It was a “harmful manipulation,” the sports minister wrote, to link the referee to the politics of Mentzen, claiming the men had not met around Marciniak giving a 45-minute speech of a “strictly business, motivational, and inspirational character.”

Mentzen, whose party has promoted antisemitic, homophobic and sexist views, later used social media to praise Marciniak as the standout speaker at the networking event.

UEFA said in a statement Thursday “the whole football community abhor the ‘values’ that are promoted by the (political) group in question.”

The London-based Fare network, which helps identify racism and discrimination incidents at international soccer games, said it welcomed UEFA’s quick intervention and the referee’s apology.

“If the challenges of discrimination and exclusion in football, and in our societies at large, are to be faced, clear leadership is necessary,” Fare chair John Olivieira said in a statement. “Football cannot be allowed to be seen as a space that tolerates extremism.

“We want to thank our colleagues Never Again in Poland for their vigilance. We deplore any threats to them or attempts to discredit them as a consequence of their work.”

The head of Never Again, Rafal Pankowski, told The Associated Press it “has gotten a flood of hateful messages. It totally goes beyond anything we have ever experienced.”

Marciniak also refereed for FIFA at the 2018 World Cup and for UEFA at the 2016 European Championship, as well as in club competition games over several seasons. He missed Euro 2020 while recovering from a heart issue after a COVID-19 infection.

Allardyce leaves Leeds after failing in rescue mission

Leeds United s English head coach Sam Allardyce reacts to Spurs second goal during the English Premier League football match between Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur at Elland Road in Leeds, northern England on May 28, 2023. AFP

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Sam Allardyce left Leeds by mutual consent on Friday after failing to save the club from relegation to the Championship in his four-game spell as interim boss.

Allardyce, 68, arrived at Elland Road to replace the sacked Javi Gracia as Leeds battled to extend their stay in the Premier League to a fourth successive season.

But Leeds lost three and drew one of their games under the former England boss, with their relegation sealed on the last day of the season.

Allardyce had hinted he would be willing to remain in charge next season to oversee Leeds' bid for a quick return to the top flight.

But, after talks between Allardyce and the club hierarchy on Thursday, Leeds have opted to move on from the former Newcastle, Everton and West Ham manager.

"Leeds United and Sam Allardyce can confirm that both parties have mutually agreed for Sam's spell at the club to end following the completion of the 2022-23 season," a Leeds statement said.

"Sam joined the Whites for the final four games of the campaign and despite spirited performances against Manchester City and Newcastle United, the objective of staying in the Premier League was not reached."

Leeds said they hoped to announce their new head coach "in the coming weeks".

'Long-term project'

Allardyce had been out of football since suffering the first top-flight relegation of his managerial career with West Bromwich Albion in 2020-21.

He earned criticism for comparing himself to Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola and Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp during his first press conference after taking over at Leeds.

With Leeds now set for at least a season in the second tier, it remains to be seen if Allardyce returns to the game or ends his long managerial career.

"It has been an honour to manage Leeds United, a great club with an incredible fan base, who deserve to be in the Premier League," Allardyce said.

"At this stage in my career I am not sure taking on this challenge, which is potentially a long-term project, is something I could commit to, but I wish the club every success for the future and hope the club returns to the Premier League, where they belong."

Allardyce arrived at Elland Road with Leeds sitting 17th in the table, outside the bottom three on goal difference.

Leeds lost his first game in charge at Manchester City and after a creditable 2-2 home draw against Newcastle, they surrendered their top-flight status with successive defeats to West Ham and Tottenham.

Relegation capped a dismal season for Leeds, who only turned to Allardyce in a desperate move after dismissing Gracia.

Gracia departed after only 10 weeks in charge having replaced the sacked Jesse Marsch in February.

Leeds chief executive Angus Kinnear added: "We thank Sam for being brave enough to step in and do all he could to save us.

"Sadly, it was not to be, but Sam, Karl (Robinson) and Robbie (Keane) did everything they could to lift the mood at Thorp Arch and Elland Road and for that we are all extremely grateful."

Six La Liga teams battling to beat drop on final day

Celta Vigo forward Carles Perez and his team are still battling relegation and in dreadful form at the moment in La Liga MIGUEL RIOPA / AFP 

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Six La Liga teams are in danger on the final day of the season as they battle to avoid going down with Espanyol and Elche.

Three teams will be relegated and Real Valladolid are currently in the danger zone, in 18th place, a point behind Celta Vigo and Almeria who have 40, while Valencia, Getafe and Cadiz all have 41 and are still sweating on their survival.

All six teams know if they win on Sunday, they will survive -- with Getafe's visit to Valladolid the only match featuring two of the six and potentially the key fixture.

If Getafe win at Pucela, they can save themselves and four other teams by consigning Valladolid, whose president is Brazil great Ronaldo, to relegation.

The battle might have been tighter still, had Valencia not found a late goal to draw last weekend at Espanyol, consigning the Catalan side to relegation.

If teams are level on points at the end of the season, their head-to-head record is the first tie-breaker, with goal difference second.

Should more than two teams be tied, a mini-table based on their head-to-head scores will decide their placings.

Cadiz, 13th, are the highest side still in danger, and a single point on the road at relegated Elche would ensure their survival, with the same true for Getafe at Valladolid and Valencia, who visit Real Betis.

Los Che have had a miserable season, with the six-time champions set for potentially their lowest finish since being promoted to the top flight in 1988.

"We have to focus on the game and on ourselves, and go to Seville to play a good game to seal survival," said Valencia coach Ruben Baraja.

Almeria travel to relegated Espanyol, knowing a draw will be enough to save them, as they have a winning head-to-head record against Getafe.

Celta Vigo, 17th, are winless in six league games and have sustained seven defeats across their last nine matches.

The Galicians face champions Barcelona, whom they hope are relaxed and with their minds on the summer break after wrapping up the title and having an emotional goodbye to Camp Nou last weekend.

Even a draw against Barcelona is not enough to guarantee survival -- to do that, Celta need a victory.

Celta announced Wednesday they will open a stand that has been closed for works all season as they look to pack Balaidos and turn their fortunes around.

"The one positive is that we finish the season at home and it's up to us to earn survival," said coach Carlos Carvalhal after last weekend's costly 1-0 defeat by Cadiz.

While Valladolid also crave three points, they could even survive if they draw against Getafe, should Almeria lose and Celta take at least one point.

There will be twists and turns along the way as La Liga's relegation battle is fought to the bitter end.

No swag, but Ronaldo puts swagger in Saudi football

Al-Nassr s Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo gestures during the Saudi Pro League football match between Al-Nassr and Al-Ettifaq at the Prince Mohammed Bin Fahd Stadium in Dammam on May 27, 2023. Photo AFP

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Cristiano Ronaldo's first season in Saudi Arabia ended with a whimper, but with hundreds of millions in wages and unprecedented attention on Saudi football he may not be the last megastar to grace the oil-rich kingdom.

The fireworks and euphoria that greeted Ronaldo's gala unveiling in January were in sharp contrast to the close of Al Nassr's season, when the Portuguese sat out a 3-0 win against Al Fateh late on Wednesday.

Despite signing the five-time Ballon d'Or-winner in a two-and-a-half-year deal said to total 400 million euros ($428 million), Al Nassr finished second in the Saudi Pro League without any silverware, although they qualified for the Asian Champions League as a consolation.

Ronaldo scored 14 goals including five penalties but it was a "disappointing season" for the Riyadh club, said Moqbel Al-Zabni, editor-in-chief of the Saudi capital's Al Riyadiah newspaper.

"They needed at least one championship."

Fan frustrations aside, however, the 38-year-old remains a marketing coup for Saudi football and the wider country, which is attempting to reinvent itself as a magnet for tourism and foreign investment.

According to a source close to the negotiations, the major oil exporter is also about to land a "huge" deal for Ronaldo's ex-La Liga sparring partner Lionel Messi, the World Cup-winning Argentine icon.

Reports have linked a string of other big names to the Saudi Pro League thanks to the riches of the Public Investment Fund, the sovereign wealth vehicle behind LIV Golf and the purchase of Premier League club Newcastle United, as well as Ronaldo's signing.

Saudi Arabia is also considering bidding for the World Cup, following in the footsteps of its neighbour Qatar, and has already explored joining forces with Egypt and Greece to present a tri-continental option.

Saudi Arabia's lavish spending on sport is often criticised as "sportswashing" -- an attempt to shift the focus from its record on human rights.

The conservative monarchy executed 81 people in a single day last year, outlaws homosexuality and triggered international condemnation when journalist Jamal Khashoggi was murdered in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018.

Ronaldo has said little in public since arriving in Riyadh with his model girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez -- a highly bankable influencer with 49.5 million Instagram followers -- and five children.

After mistakenly calling the country "South Africa" when he was first welcomed at Al Nassr, last week he backed the Saudi Pro League to become one of the best in the world.

"Step by step, I think this league will be a top-five league in the world," he said in a post-match interview.

Although it quickly became clear that the veteran player could not win games single-handed, Saudi football has never enjoyed such attention.

Al Nassr's Twitter followers have jumped from 800,000 to more than four million, and swelled from two million to 14 million-plus on Instagram.

Women fans, barred from football stadiums until just a few years ago, have become a common sight, while Ronaldo has also drawn many families with children.

"Saudi football has become the talk of most international news agencies and media," Saudi writer Musaed Al-Abdali wrote in his column for Al Riyadiah.

Egyptian sports analyst Ahmed Afify said Ronaldo could not be blamed for the trophy-less season, pointing to injuries to other players including Colombian goalkeeper David Ospina.

"He (Ronaldo) showed great commitment and did not act like a big star towards his team-mates," Afify said.

However, some fans were not impressed with what they saw of Ronaldo, who sometimes appeared anonymous.

"In many matches it was difficult to locate him on the field," commented sports journalist Hawass Al-Ayed.

After Al Nassr drew against a modest Al Khaleej outfit two weeks ago, fan Mubarak Al-Shehri lashed out at Ronaldo's "bad and incomprehensible performance".

Another fan, Ibrahim Al-Suwailem, wearing the traditional Saudi white robes, questioned the decision to buy Ronaldo.

"Ronaldo alone is not enough," he said, adding: "Is it worth this huge amount? It's a deal for publicity, and the fans want championships at the end of the day."

Slovakia and Napoli record holder Hamsik announces retirement

Marek Hamsik, celebrating a Slovakia victory over Poland in Euro 2020, has announced his retirement. Photo AFP

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Slovakian playmaker Marek Hamsik announced on Thursday that he would be retiring at the end of the season with Turkish league side Trabzonspor.

The 35-year-old is Slovakia's most capped player with 136 appearances and their all-time top scorer with 26 goals. He also holds the Napoli club record for most appearances.

"I want to announce the end of my career after the end of the season," he told a press conference. "It's not an easy decision but together with my family - my wife and my children - we decided that Daddy wants to go to home... it was a wonderful journey."

Hamsik started with Slovan Bratislava before moving to Italy in 2004 at the age of 17. After three seasons with Brescia he moved to Napoli in 2007 where he made 520 appearances over 12 seasons.

He joined Trabzonspor in June 2021 and was one of the main architects of the Black Sea club's title triumph last season, their first in 38 years. This season the club sit sixth in the Super Lig with two games left.

Hamsik captained Slovakia and led his country to the Round of 16 at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and Euro 2016 in France.

PSG coach confirms Messi's departure from French league club

Paris Saint-Germain s Argentinian forward Lionel Messi reacts during a training session at club s training ground in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, west of Paris on June 1, 2023, two days prior to the L1 football match against Clermont. Photo: AFP

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Lionel Messi will leave Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the season after two years at the club, coach Christophe Galtier said Thursday.

Galter said ahead of PSG’s game against Clermont on Saturday that it would be Messi's last match at the Parc des Princes.

“I had the privilege of coaching the best player in the history of soccer," Galtier said. "This will be his last match at the Parc des Princes, and I hope that he will receive the warmest of welcomes."

Messi, who has 21 goals and 20 assists for PSG in all competitions this season, moved to the French capital from Barcelona in 2021 on a two-year contract, and helped the Parisian giants win two successive French Ligue 1 titles.

La Liga reaches finish with 6 teams in danger of relegation

Real Madrid s Eden Hazard, centre, and Cadiz s Luis Hernandez challenge for the ball during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Cadiz CF and Real Madrid at the Nuevo Mirandilla stadium in Cadiz, Spain, Saturday, April 15, 2023. The Spanish league reaches its finish with six teams vying to not become the last side to be relegated to the second division. Cadiz, Getafe and Valencia each have 41 points. Photo: AP

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Six teams are vying to avoid relegation to the second division as the Spanish league reaches its finish.

Cadiz, Getafe and Valencia each have 41 points, Almeria and Celta have 40, and Valladolid has 39 heading into the final round of games.

Valladolid is currently in 18th place, the last spot that will tumble along with already demoted Espanyol and Elche. But Valladolid has its fate in its hands because it hosts 14th-place Getafe on Sunday.

A victory by the team owned by former Brazil great Ronaldo would be enough to secure salvation, but a draw could do the trick depending on other results. A draw by Getafe would be enough for the modest Madrid-based club to stay up.

Cadiz, in 14th place, will play at Elche needing only a draw to ensure its survives.

Valencia, which eliminated Espanyol last weekend with a stoppage-time goal, needs a draw from its trip to Real Betis, which has already secured a Europa League berth.

A draw would also suffice Almeria at Espanyol.

Celta, which has entered a nosedive in recent weeks, hosts champion Barcelona needing a victory to control its fate. A draw would leave it depending on other results. Fortunately for Celta, Barcelona has nothing to play for.

Nearer to the top of the standings, Osasuna and Athletic Bilbao are tied on points and both wanting to clinch the Conference League berth that goes with a seventh-place finish.

Osasuna hosts Girona, while Bilbao is at Real Madrid.

LAST GAMES

Barcelona veterans Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, who have won multiple titles between them, will play their last game for the club.

But Madrid’s game at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium could potentially be the last appearances for the pillars of its multiple Champions Leagues over the past decade.

Karim Benzema and Luka Modric, both Ballon d’Or winners, along with Toni Kroos and Marco Asensio are all on contracts that expire at the end of June. The club and players have reportedly been in talks about their futures, but nothing has officially been decided.

United aim to rewrite history with FA Cup glory at City's expense

Manchester City and Manchester United meet in the FA Cup final on Saturday. Photo: AFP

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Twelve years ago, Manchester City triggered a seismic shift in English football by beating treble-chasing Manchester United at Wembley. Now City's own treble bid will come under threat from resurgent United in Saturday's FA Cup final.

With the Premier League wrapped up for a third successive season, City are two victories away from becoming only the second English club -- after United in 1999 -- to win the English title, the Champions League and the FA Cup in the same campaign.

City's current success and United's status as hopeful challengers would have been unimaginable when they last met in the FA Cup at Wembley in the 2011 semi-finals.

Just a few weeks after that showdown at the national stadium, United would clinch the Premier League title for the fourth time in five years, while also reaching the Champions League final.

In stark contrast to United's golden era under boss Alex Ferguson, City were still scarred by decades of disfunction and they headed to Wembley in the midst of a trophy drought that had become a source of embarrassment.

Such was United's superiority over their neighbours that fans cheekily displayed a banner in the Stretford End at Old Trafford which showed how many years it was since City last won a trophy.

To the intense frustration of the blue side of Manchester, the number on the banner was 35 by 2011.

Yet by the time they left Wembley on a grey April afternoon, City had delivered a statement of intent that would soon render that mocking banner redundant.

The first Manchester derby to be played at Wembley was an appropriate setting for a defining moment in English football.

Since City were taken over by Sheikh Mansour's Abu Dhabi-based group in 2008, their vast spending on new players had become the talk of the Premier League.

Ferguson had dismissively waved away talk of City posing a threat to United when he dubbed their rivals "noisy neighbours" in 2009.

But City were gradually improving under boss Roberto Mancini and the FA Cup semi-final served as their coming of age.

After United missed several chances, Yaya Toure, one of City's expensive recruits, scored the only goal of a fiercely-contested clash seven minutes after half-time.

The defeatism that had plagued City for so long was removed in one fell swoop.

'A real turning point'

Joleon Lescott was part of the defence that kept United at bay and the centre-back recalls the match as game-changer for both clubs.

"That FA Cup semi-final was a real shift in belief as a club, for us as players and the fans, but also for United," Lescott said.

"They realised we were a real threat. That was a real turning point. It really propelled us."

City would go on win the FA Cup final against Stoke, banishing the trophy taunts from United and setting the stage for the start of a blue dynasty in Manchester.

Mancini's men thrashed United 6-1 at Old Trafford the following season and won the title at their rivals' expense thanks to Sergio Aguero's unforgettable late goal against QPR on the final day.

"We weren't just the noisy neighbours anymore, we were very loud!" Nigel De Jong, a member of that title-winning team, said.

Since beating United in the 2011 semi-final, City have won 15 major trophies, including seven Premier Leagues, as Pep Guardiola arrived to lead them to new heights with five titles in the last six seasons.

United have won only six major trophies in the same period with their last title coming in Ferguson's final season in 2013.

However, a revival could be brewing after United boss Erik ten Hag ended the club's six-year trophy drought this season.

Winning the League Cup and finishing third in the Premier League are encouraging signs, but beating the champions in the first all-Manchester FA Cup final would be an even more significant milestone.

"It's obvious we play against probably, at this moment, the best team, but still there is a chance. We have to give everything," Ten Hag said.

And with their club seemingly on the verge of being bought by a wealthy new owner, United fans can dare to dream of emulating the City surge that started with an unexpected victory at Wembley over a decade ago.

Mourinho raises further doubts over future after Europa League heartache

Roma s head coach Jose Mourinho takes off his second place medal after receiving it at the end of the Europa League final soccer match between Sevilla and Roma, at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary, Wednesday, May 31, 2023. Sevilla defeated Roma 4-1 in a penalty shootout after the match ended tied 1-1. Photo : AP

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Jose Mourinho threw his future as Roma manager into further doubt on Wednesday, saying he was "too tired" after the bitter pain of losing his first major European final to Sevilla.

The Spanish team triumphed 4-1 on penalties after the game in Budapest finished 1-1, with Paulo Dybala's opener cancelled out by an own goal from Roma defender Gianluca Mancini.

Such a defeat is a new experience for Mourinho, 60, who had won all five of his previous major European finals, including last year's inaugural UEFA Conference League final with the Italian side.

"I'm too tired to do the job as a trainer, as a spokesman of the club, to fight every time," he said in the immediate aftermath of the defeat.

Mourinho told reporters that questions over his future were "not important at the moment", adding he was looking forward to going on holiday at the end of the season.

Roma are sixth in Serie A with one match remaining.

The Portuguese said he was disappointed with the officiating during the final and felt a number of decisions went against his men.

"We felt pressure against a team that has more talent than us," he said. "We lost a game but not dignity.

"I've never gone home prouder than today, even when I won. We had also worked hard on penalties but we missed two –- but all together, not only the penalty takers.

"Congratulations to Sevilla, but also congratulations to my players. The boys must go home peacefully, with pride for having done what they have done. These are my boys from Budapest."

 

Sevilla beat Roma on penalties to win Europa League

Sevilla s players celebrate with the trophy after winning the Europa League final soccer match between Sevilla and Roma, at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary, Wednesday, May 31, 2023. Photo AP

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Sevilla found their Europa League magic formula on Wednesday, beating Roma 4-1 on penalties in Budapest to make it a perfect seven out of seven in finals in the competition.

The game finished 1-1 following extra-time after Paulo Dybala's opener was earlier cancelled out by an own goal from Roma defender Gianluca Mancini.

A bad-tempered but gripping match went to a shootout at a raucous Puskas Arena, with Sevilla goalkeeper Yassine Bounou proving the hero with two saves.

Gonzalo Montiel, who scored the winning penalty in the 2022 World Cup final, netted the decisive spot-kick after Mancini and Roger Ibanez had failed to convert for Roma.

The win is a remarkable achievement for 62-year-old Jose Luis Mendilibar, who only took over at Sevilla in March and is now celebrating his first major trophy.

"We are going to enjoy this because it has cost a lot and right now I don't know if I will renew or not and I don't care," said the Spaniard, who is not certain to be at the club next season.

The veteran coach was brought in to save the club from relegation and has led them to safety as well as European glory.

"When I arrived I told the players that they were very good but that they were not mentally in the right place and that was my job," he said.

"They have shown me in the end that they are very good."

Defeat spells heartbreak for Roma boss Jose Mourinho, who has lost a European final for the first time after five successes.

The fans created a crackling atmosphere before kick-off but the early stages of the game did not match the colour in the stands.

Dybala repaid Mourinho's gamble on his fitness in the 35th minute when he latched onto Mancini's through ball from the centre circle, coolly slotting his shot past Bounou.

Sevilla, finally finding some fluency, came agonisingly close to levelling deep into the seven minutes of added-on time when Ivan Rakitic drilled a fierce left-footed strike from distance that cannoned back off an upright.

Mendilibar brought on forwards Suso and Erik Lamela for Oliver Torres and Bryan Gil at the break and the Spanish side began the second period on the front foot.

They were level after 10 minutes when Mancini bundled a Jesus Navas cross from the right into his own net from close range.

Roma seemed certain to re-take the lead against the run of play midway through the second half but the Sevilla defenders somehow scrambled the ball away after several stabs at goal from close range.

Dybala, starting a match for the first time since mid-April, was withdrawn, with midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum coming on to replace him.

Sevilla thought they had a penalty with 15 minutes to go after referee Anthony Taylor ruled that Ibanez had brought down Lucas Ocampos but the decision was overturned by VAR.

Roma squandered a glorious chance to go back in front when substitute Andrea Belotti failed to keep his shot on target with only the goalkeeper to beat.

Extra-time was largely uneventful as tempers flared between the two benches but Roma defender Chris Smalling almost snatched the win when he hit the woodwork with a looping header from a corner in the dying seconds.

There were 13 yellow cards awarded, the most ever in a UEFA Europa League game.

The first three spot-kicks were converted but when man-of-the-match Bounou saved penalties from Mancini and pushed Ibanez's effort onto the post, the Spanish side had a 3-1 lead and appeared certain winners.

But there was more drama to come.

Montiel's effort was saved by Rui Patricio but the kick was ordered re-taken after an encroachment by the goalkeeper and this time the Argentine made no mistake.

Sevilla, 11th in La Liga with one match to play will play in the Champions League next season.

But Roma's campaign could end with a whimper after the highs of winning the inaugural Europa Conference League last year.

The Italian team are sixth in Serie A with one game remaining and there are major doubts over whether Mourinho, 60, will still be manager next season.

"We felt pressure against a team that has more talent than us," said the Portuguese. "We lost a game but not dignity. I've never gone home prouder than today, even when I won."