Europe

Days Out From LaLiga's Return, Here's What To Watch For

BARCELONA — After an almighty push by all parties concerned, Spain's LaLiga roars back into action next week after a three-month pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with matches taking place every day and with everything to play for.

The season resumes on Wednesday in bizarre circumstances with the second half of a Segunda Division match between Rayo Vallecano and Albacete that was abandoned in December due to offensive chanting.

Bundesliga Shows Outpouring Of Support For Black Lives Matter Protests Across The League

Bundesliga players and clubs are letting the world know they stand with George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter movement.

The biggest soccer league currently in action amid the novel coronavirus pandemic, the Bundesliga has seen a number of statements in support of the ongoing Black Lives Matter protests in the United States, perhaps none more prominent than what happened before Borussia Dortmund hosted Hertha Berlin on Saturday. The teams took a knee in a dramatic show of solidarity on the 12th day of protests over the murder of Floyd. 

Romanian Fan Sentenced For Attempted Murder Of A Police Officer During A Relegation Playoff

BUCHAREST — A Universitatea Cluj fan was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison for trying to kill a police officer during a Romanian first division relegation playoff match last year.

Vidrean Ovidiu Traian was found guilty of attempted murder after he hit the policeman over the head with a seat, leaving him unconscious and covered in blood, during the game in June against AFC Hermannstadt at the Cluj Arena.

The incident took place amid clashes between Universitatea supporters and police with fans throwing seats, stones and other objects at the officers.

Leon Goretzka Knows He Better Listen When Lewandowski Says Get Out Of The Way

Leon Goretzka had already scored once, a well-taken strike from the edge of the box. With a chance to double his tally, he suddenly ducked out of the way of a header. 

It was, of course, the correct decision.

Goretzka dropped his head at the last second to allow Robert Lewandowski to head home his 30th goal of the Bundesliga campaign as Bayern Munich shook off an early deficit to score four straight on the way to a 4-2 victory at BayArena on Saturday.

Chelsea Awarded Women’s Super League Title In Most Bizarre Of Scenarios

Sam Kerr can claim a league title in her first season in England, even if her side wasn’t atop the Women's Super League table when the last match was played before the novel coronavirus pandemic shut down league play.

The English FA announced Friday that Chelsea would be awarded the Women’s Super League crown based on a points-per-match basis. Manchester City was atop the table with 40 points from 16 matches, but Chelsea’s 39 points from 15 matches were rewarded with the trophy.

BVB’s Jadon Sancho Hit With Fine Over Ill-Advised Haircut

BERLIN, June 5 (Reuters) - Borussia Dortmund's Jadon Sancho and Manuel Akanji were fined an unspecified amount by the German Football League (DFL) on Friday for failing to wear face masks during a visit from a hair dresser.

The DFL said both players had broken the health guidelines that have governed Bundesliga clubs and players since the league restarted amid the COVID-19 pandemic on May 16.

Six Dortmund players, including England international Sancho and Akanji, got their hair cut by the hairdresser who then asked some of them to take pictures with him.

Premier League Announces Schedule For First 3 Weeks Back, Including Potential Liverpool Title Clinchers

Liverpool will resume its quest for a first top-flight title in 30 years against city rival Everton on June 21, as the Premier League released its revised fixture list for the first three weeks of the restarted season on Friday.

Soccer in England has been suspended since mid-March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but clubs have voted to restart the season on June 17 when second-placed Manchester City host Arsenal and Sheffield United visit relegation-threatened Aston Villa.

Tottenham Borrows $220 Million From Bank Of England Due To Revenue Loss

Tottenham has borrowed $220.40 million from the Bank of England to ease the financial burden due to the loss of revenue amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Premier League club said on Thursday.

The club said it estimated a revenue loss of more than $250 million for the period until June 2021 due to the loss of income from matchday revenue, third party live events and other sporting events at their stadium.

Coppa Italia Semis And Final To Be Played Between June 12-17

The Coppa Italia semifinals will be played on June 12-13 while the final will be held on June 17, Italy's Sports Minister Vincenzo Spadafora confirmed on Thursday.

Juventus and AC Milan, who played out a 1-1 draw in the first leg, will play on June 12. Napoli host Inter Milan a day later at the San Paolo Stadium, leading 1-0 on aggregate.

Serie A said in a statement last week that the Italian season, which has been suspended since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, would resume with the cup competition before the league restarts on June 20.

Chelsea Ensures 2020-21 Premier League Title With Timo Werner Signing

After months of speculation that Liverpool was going to acquire RB Leipzig’s star striker Timo Werner, Chelsea has come out of nowhere and snatched the 24-year-old German.

What started as a rumor that Werner was in talks with Chelsea quickly became an official signing with multiple sources confirming that the Blues had met his $62 million release clause on Thursday.

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