International Football
MESSI, GUARDIOLA DONATE A MILLION EUROS EACH TO CORONAVIRUS BATTLE
Barcelona forward Lionel Messi and Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola have each donated one million euros (S$1.4 million) towards the fight against coronavirus.
Argentina international Messi’s donation will be split between Hospital Clinic in Barcelona and another medical centre in his home country, according to a report in Marca.
“Leo Messi made a donation to the clinic to fight the coronavirus,” Hospital Clinic wrote on Twitter.
“Thank you very much, Leo, for your commitment and your support.”
Former Barcelona player and manager Guardiola made his contribution to a campaign launched by the Angel Soler Daniel Foundation and Medical College of Barcelona.
“Pep Guardiola has made a donation of one million euros to the Angel Soler Daniel Foundation for the acquisition and supply of health equipment to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic,” said a statement from the College.
“The donation campaign promoted by the Medical College of Barcelona and managed through the Angel Soler Daniel Foundation aims to collect medical materials and financial contributions from collegiate doctors and the general population, for the purchase of medical equipment and equipment that is currently lacking in health centres in Catalonia.
“It will also help finance the alternative production, through 3D printing and other methods, of respirators and personal protection equipment for healthcare staff.”
Before Guardiola made his donation, the campaign had raised €33,000 in three days.
Spain is the country worst affected by the disease in Europe outside of Italy, with 2,696 deaths and almost 40,000 positive cases.
The region of Catalonia, where Guardiola is from and where Messi has lived since joining Barca aged 13, is one of the worst-affected parts of the country.
-Reuters
Six men including the brother of France international Paul Pogba were sentenced to prison terms of between three and eight years on Thursday after being convicted of extortion attempts targeting the footballer, French media reported.
In 2022, Paul Pogba said he was the object of extortion attempts and threats from an organised gang, with his brother Mathias placed under formal investigation.
Paul Pogba, 31, told the Paris prosecution office that he had been the target of extortion by childhood friends in March 2022 and had paid 100,000 euros ($104,000) to that group.
Mathias received a three-year prison sentence, two of which are suspended, after he was found guilty of organised extortion and attempted extortion. He was also fined 20,000 euros.
The others include Roushdane K (eight years) Boubacar C (four years, two suspended), Machikour K (four years, three suspended), Mamadou M (five years, 12 months suspended) and Adama C (five years).
Reuters has contacted Paul Pogba’s representatives for comment.
-Reuters
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Germany handed Manchester City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega, who fills in for Ederson at the Premier League champions, his first call-up on Thursday ahead of their Nations League matches against Bosnia and Hungary later in November.
The 32-year-old, who joined City in 2022, plays a back-up role for his club with more appearances in the Champions League and domestic cup competitions than in the Premier League where Brazilian Ederson is first choice.
But Ortega has performed with distinction when he has deputised for Ederson, including late last season when City coach Pep Guardiola called him “a world-class goalkeeper, an exceptional, exceptional goalkeeper.”
Ortega is likely to be the third choice for Germany behind Alexander Nuebel and Oliver Baumann.
Group A3 leaders Germany, who have already qualified for the last eight in the Nations League, host Bosnia on Nov. 16 before traveling to Hungary three days later.
“After making sure of a spot in the quarter-finals we now want to seal top spot in the group,” said Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann.
“Reaching the Nations League final four next year is an important milestone on our way to the 2026 World Cup.”
-Reuters
Former Manchester United striker Dwight Yorke has been appointed manager of his home nation Trinidad and Tobago, the country’s Football Association said on Friday.
Yorke, who won the treble with United as a player, made 72 appearances for Trinidad and Tobago, scoring 19 goals, and was captain at their only World Cup in 2006.
“As a player I experienced some incredible moments in a Trinidad and Tobago shirt. With this squad I hope that can continue as head coach,” Yorke said.
His only managerial experience came at Macarthur FC, where he won the Australia Cup in 2022. The 52-year-old also had a brief spell as assistant manager witht Sunderland and was also assistant with Trinidad and Tobago in 2009.
-Reuters
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