Connah's Quay Nomads manager Andy Morrison said he had to "turn a blind eye" to players who showed up unwell for Thursday's Europa League game against Dinamo Tbilisi as he had already lost four members of the squad due to COVID-19.
Three players had to be withdrawn prior to the second round qualifier after testing positive for COVID-19 while a fourth showed symptoms and was excluded as a precaution.
"He was what I called a ball-playing defender," long-time friend Dave Bassett said of Sam Allardyce, "If he wasn't playing with the ball he was playing with your balls."
Allardyce was a feared center back during his 20-plus years in English football due to his propensity to clatter opposing strikers and leave them moaning in pain on the turf. He was even given the nickname "Super Sam Bionic Man" for his ability to quickly ascend from these tackles and continue playing.
The Lionel Messi transfer saga has provided the excitement we've all craved during a quiet transfer window, as every club has hope of signing the world's best player (no, he's not going to MLS).
A Europa League qualifier between FC Prishtina and Lincoln Red Imps of Gibraltar, postponed once after eight Prishtina players tested positive for the novel coronavirus, was called off again on Saturday when the Kosovan side failed to take to the pitch.
Lincoln tweeted a picture of their players and match officials waiting on the pitch in Gibraltar before issuing a statement saying the preliminary-round qualifier had been cancelled.
Sevilla won a record sixth Europa League title, edging Inter Milan 3-2 in a dramatic final on Friday. Lost in the madness of the entertaining match was the fact an LA Galaxy striker claimed his first Europa League championship. Despite having left the club in January, Javier Hernadnez did enough to earn himself a winner’s medal.
COLOGNE — Sevilla coach Julen Lopetegui enjoyed sweet redemption after his side beat Inter Milan 3-2 in a thrilling Europa League final on Friday to hand the Spaniard a first major trophy.
A highly-rated coach in Spain's youth set-up, Lopetegui landed a first job in elite club coaching when he took over at Portuguese giants Porto in 2014 but was sacked 18 months later after failing to win a trophy.
Diego Carlos was having a nightmare of a match for Sevilla in the Europa League final against Inter Milan. The Sevilla center back was fortunate to avoid a red card in the opening minutes when he conceded a penalty to give Inter an early lead. He struggled all night to contain Romelu Lukaku.
But in the unlikeliest of scenarios, it was Diego Carlos, the Brazilian center back, who provided a dramatic bicycle kick that caromed off Lukaku for a late winner as Sevilla rallied for a 3-2 win on Friday in Cologne, Germany.
European glory is on the line Friday with Inter Milan and Sevilla facing off in the Europa League final in what should be an exhilarating match.
Inter — the hottest team in Europe right now not named Bayern Munich — will have its hands full against the Europa League’s star pupil Sevilla. The Spanish club has won the competition more than any other team and will look to raise its fourth Europa League trophy in the past seven years.
Kosovan soccer club FC Prishtina have taken the unprecedented step of signing players on loan from rival teams for one match in order to contest a Europa League qualifier, the club and the national federation have confirmed.
Lautaro Martinez played chief tormentor as Inter Milan claimed an emphatic 5-0 victory against Shakhtar Donetsk to reach the Europa League final and come closer to a first title in nine years on Monday.
Argentine striker Martinez, who scored twice, was the pinnacle of a perfect tactical display as Antonio Conte's team set up a clash with five-time champions Sevilla, also thanks to a goal by Danilo D'Ambrosio and a Romelu Lukaku brace.
Shakhtar had their share of possession but failed to threaten a compact Inter side, who eventually completely overwhelmed their opponents.