Felipe Melo has insisted he did not leave Galatasaray for Inter for financial reasons, claiming that he earned twice as much at the Turkish giants as he makes at the Serie A club.
The Brazilian midfielder enjoyed a successful spell with the Istanbul side between 2011 and 2015, winning three Super Lig titles.
Nevertheless, he opted to return to Italy ahead of the 2015-16 campaign as he felt he needed a new challenge.
I felt that a cycle had come to an end. I said that I wanted to make history and win trophies when I joined Galatasaray. I did just that. We won a lot and I feel my time at the club ended in the best way possible, the 32-year-old told Trt Spor.
It is a lie that I left Galatasaray for the money. I am not even making half as much money at Int…
Suspended FIFA vice-president Michel Platini has launched an urgent appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) after his 90-day ban was upheld by the Ethics Committee of world football s governing body.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter and UEFA chief Platini were banned in early October over a disloyal payment made to the Frenchman in 2011, though both deny any wrongdoing.
The FIFA Appeal Committee announced on Wednesday that it had rejected appeals from both figures over their suspensions from football, but Platini has opted to take his decision to CAS.
Confirming Platini s move, CAS said in a statement: In his appeal, Michel Platini has also requested that the current provisional suspension be stayed until a final decision of FIFA on the merits of this case…
Liberian Football Association president Musa Bility has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) over his exclusion from the FIFA presidential election.
Bility was ruled out of the race last month after failing an integrity check a decision he described as unfortunate .
But on Wednesday, CAS announced that Bility has appealed his case, in the hope the decision will be overturned and he can run to replace the outgoing Sepp Blatter.
Musa Hassan Bility has filed an appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against the FIFA Ad hoc Electoral Committee s decision of 12 November 2015 in which his candidacy for the upcoming presidential election was refused, a CAS statement read.
The FIFA Ad hoc Electoral Committee noted that Mr Bility had…
Real Madrid icon Raul is taking the first step towards starting a coaching career.
The former Spain striker retired from the game in 2015, going down in history as one of Europe s most devastating poachers.
Raul won six LaLiga titles with Madrid, as well as a trio of Champions League crowns, and now serves as an executive at the club.
But the 40-year-old could soon be ready to join former team-mate Zinedine Zidane in the Santiago Bernabeu dugout, as he is working towards his coaching badges.
We have started the first year of the A and B licence, Raul said.
It s a first step to train and be a coach at least up to youth level, and within a year we will be able to do the UEFA pro, which allows us to train any team.
Now the important thing…
Mohamed Salah inspired a first-half blitz as Liverpool seized control of their Champions League quarter-final tie against Manchester City with a stunning 3-0 win at Anfield.
As expected, the first leg of the all-English tie provided plenty of goals, albeit few predicted Jurgen Klopp s side would score three without reply against the Premier League champions-elect.
Salah broke the deadlock in the 12th minute, grabbing his 38th goal of a prolific season after Roberto Firmino had capitalised on Kyle Walker s failure to clear the danger.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain doubled Liverpool s advantage with a blistering drive from distance, while a third arrived just after the half-hour when Sadio Mane headed home Salah s delivery from the right flank.
Sensational in the…
Chelsea will face last season s runners-up Tottenham in the semi-finals of the EFL Cup, while Liverpool have been drawn against Arsenal.
Thomas Tuchel s Chelsea beat Brentford 2-0 on Wednesday thanks to a Pontus Jansson own goal and a Jorginho penalty in the final 10 minutes.
The Blues now have a two-legged tie with former boss Antonio Conte s Tottenham to look forward to early in 2022 following their London rivals 2-1 win against West Ham.
Liverpool s reward for their dramatic penalty shootout win against Leicester City – coming after battling back from two goals down to draw 3-3 late on – is a showdown with Arsenal.
The Gunners had far less trouble booking their place in the final four as they eased to a 5-1 win over third-tier Sunderland on Tuesday…
Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli seems to have benefitted from the disciplinary issues between manager Mikel Arteta and now former captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Deployed on the left side of attack, the young Brazilian has been pretty efficient and his talent is there for everyone to see. He had six goal involvements (four goals, two assists) in his last six Premier League appearances, five of which were starts.
Here s what defender Gabriel Mahalhaes has to say about his namesake.
He has many great traits in a player, I m sure it s just beginning and he will make many Arsenal fans happy.
Gabriel praises his teammate Martinelli for the way he has broken into the starting eleven
— Football Daily (@footballdaily)
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Hannover star Szabolcs Huszti admits he is dreaming about joining a top Premier League club.
The 29-year-old has set the Bundesliga alight with his performances this season and top European clubs have taken notice.
Huszti is likely to be the subject of heavy interest in the summer transfer window, but he says he would only leave Hannover for a top side from England.
I ve spoken to a lot of Italian players who would be happy to come to Germany because there are no debts, you get your salary on time and the clubs have stability, Huszti told the Hungarian edition of Four Four Two magazine.
For that reason I wouldn t want to sign for an average English side, it wouldn t make sense.
If I got a better contract and my club would like to sell me then …
Sevilla have secured a season-long loan deal for Reading midfielder Daniel Carrico, with a view to a permanent deal.
The former Portugal Under-21 international moved to the Madejski Stadium in January from Sporting Lisbon, but only made three appearances as the Berkshire club were relegated from the Premier League.
And the 24-year-old made no secret of his desire to leave Nigel Adkins side, following their drop into the Championship.
Sevilla is a great club, said Carrico. I would love to play for them. I will not be staying at Reading.
A statement on Sevilla s website confirmed the deal is agreed between the two clubs, with personal terms settled and the switch will be finalised after a medical on Tuesday.
Carrico made 153 appearances for Sporting after ma…
Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech believes their 0-0 draw at bogey club Stoke City served as an indicator of the Premier League leaders competitiveness.
Arsene Wenger s men who have not won away at Stoke since 2010 had lost on each of their last two visits to the Britannia Stadium.
But Cech played a key role in ensuring Arsenal avoided defeat in Staffordshire this time around.
The Czech Republic keeper made a vital double stop to deny Joselu and Bojan Krkic after 55 minutes. Striker Joselu was then frustrated by another Cech save in the final minute of normal time.
We were coming here and we heard from everyone that we were going to lose again, Cech told Sky Sports after keeping a clean sheet that marked his 10th against Stoke.
We showed ever…