All the top stories and transfer rumours from Friday’s national newspapers…
Four Barca players suffered injury problems on the same day with the national team
The UEFA Nations League tournament saw some good and bad news for the national teams, but the club most unhappy was likely Barcelona.
In the Netherlands’ 2-0 away defeat to Poland, Francky De Jong and Depay were both replaced because of injuries to their thigh muscles, both players from Barcelona.
On the other hand, in France’s 2-0 home win over Austria, Kounde was substituted with an injury after playing only half of the first half, while Dembele, who came on late in the game, was also reported to be in pain by Bayern Sports reporter Ben Ayad.
Thus, today alone, four Barça players suffered injuries in the UEFA Nations League matches.
Manchester United’s wage bill surpasses Man City’s to set all-time Premier League record
Manchester United announced their financial results for the last financial year yesterday and their wage bill reached a Premier League record of 384.2 million pounds.
The Mail said United’s £384.2 million wage bill in the last financial year gave them the highest ever in the Premier League, up £61.6 million or 19.1% on the previous year, breaking the previous record of £354.6 million held by Manchester City.
Manchester United paid Juventus £13.5 million to bring in Cairo last summer, and they also paid £77 million and £36 million to sign Sancho and Varane respectively, with Cairo earning £500,000 a week and Sancho and Varane both earning £350,000 a week.
In addition, Manchester United’s net loss in the last fiscal year was £115.5 million and net debt rose to £514.9 million, while total revenue was £583.2 million.
Qatar will be flexible in law enforcement during the World Cup, drunkenness, bare shoulders, etc. will not be imprisoned
According to British media, the Telegraph reported that the Qatari government will relax restrictions on alcohol consumption during the World Cup, so fans no longer have to worry about being jailed by police for drinking too much.
As an Islamic country, Qatar has relatively strict legal restrictions on alcohol and gender issues. Under local law, homosexuality and sex outside of marriage are considered illegal, and public intoxication can be punished by up to six months in jail. In addition, in terms of dress and style, such as public displays of affection, revealing clothing and other situations can also be arrested.
However, according to officials inside the Qatar World Cup, the Telegraph has learned that local laws on alcohol consumption will be relaxed during the upcoming World Cup and that vendors will be allowed to sell beer outside World Cup venues.
In addition, the organizers have informed local police in Qatar that they want them to be flexible in enforcing the law during the World Cup. An insider said: “Some minor violations will not attract fines or imprisonment, but the police will first come to the person concerned to verbally ask him to comply with the appropriate regulations. If someone takes off his shirt in public, the police will come and ask him to put it back on, there is a tolerable space.”
But the report also mentions that if there are fireworks or fights at the venue that could cause harm to others, regardless of the outcome, the person could be fined and disqualified from watching the World Cup in Qatar.
Giroud becomes the oldest goalscorer in France’s history
Giroud scored the second goal for France in the 2-0 home win over Austria in the 5th round of the UEFA Nations League.
Data from the well-known statistics agency Opta said that Giroud, who was 35 years and 357 days old on the day of the goal, became the oldest goal scorer in the history of the French team.
The previous holder of the record was Roger Marche, who was 35 years and 287 days old when he scored against Spain in December 1959.
Barcelona dreams of signing back Lionel Messi next year, the player will make a decision after the World Cup
Barcelona is still eager to sign back Lionel Messi, but the conclusion still needs to wait.
Romano said that Barcelona is very keen to return Messi next summer, Messi himself will make a decision after the World Cup in Qatar this year.
Messi’s contract with Paris will expire next summer, but previous reports have pointed out that the contract has a one-year extension option.
Wanda announces separation from Icardi: it is painful, but I will not make any explanation
Icardi’s wife Wanda Nara confirmed in a post on social media that the two of them are now in a state of separation.
Icardi moved to Galatasaray from Paris Saint-Germain on loan this summer and now after months of marriage rumors with Wanda, their love story looks to be over.
In a post via social media, Wanda wrote: “Nowadays moments like this are very painful for me, but considering all the attention I have received and all the rumors that have appeared in the media, I prefer to be the one to tell you.”
“I have nothing to clarify, and I will not explain this separation. I ask for some understanding from you, not just for my own sake, but more importantly, with our children in mind.”
France 2-0 Austria
France hosted Austria in the 5th round of UEFA Europa League A. The referee of the match was Ekberg. In the first half, Kounde retired with injury, Tchouameni hit the frame with a wonderful reverse hook, Griezmann’s close range shot was blocked and Mbappe’s long range shot was confiscated by the goalkeeper. In the second half, Mbappe broke the deadlock, and Griezmann assisted Giroud to break the goal with a header, finally, France 2-0 Austria.
Netherlands 2-0 Poland
Poland hosted the Netherlands in the 5th round of UEFA Europa League A. Alejandro was the referee on duty for this match. Shortly after the first half, Dumfries assisted Gakpo to score the first goal. In the second half, Depay was injured and couldn’t hold on and was replaced. Milik missed a good chance in front of goal after a cross from Frankowski. Janssen then assisted Bergwijn to seal the win. Lewandowski was average in the whole match. The match ended with Netherlands beating Poland 2-0 away from home.
Belgium 2-1 Wales
Belgium faced Wales at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels in the 5th round of UEFA Europa League Group D. The referee for the match was Parabijk. In the first half, De Bruyne and Batshuayi exchanged passes. In the second half, Moore’s header gave Wales an equalizer; Belgium manager Roberto Martinez was sent off with a red card late in the game. Finally, Belgium defeated Wales 2-1 at home.
Croatia 2-1 Denmark
Croatia faced Denmark in the 5th round of UEFA Europa League Group A at the Maximeil Stadium in Zagreb, with Massa as the referee. In the first half, Gwadiore’s header missed the target and Eriksen’s heavy shot made a danger. In the second half, Sosa broke the deadlock with a shot, Eriksen equalized with a shot, and then Majerle came on as a substitute and scored the winner. In the end, Croatia beat Denmark 2-1 at home to achieve a double victory and move to the top of Group A of the UEFA Europa League.
DAILY TELEGRAPH
Thomas Tuchel has been left in post-Brexit visa limbo over his ability to remain in the United Kingdom following his sacking by Chelsea.
Elliot Anderson could soon swap international allegiance from Scotland to England after his rapid rise at Newcastle United.
Greg Norman has been accused by US lawmakers of “pimping a billion dollars of Saudi Arabian money” and of spreading “propaganda”.
DAILY MAIL
The captains of England – and a host of other nations – could be banned from wearing their OneLove armbands at the World Cup.
Mansfield have brought their League Two fixture against Walsall on Saturday October 15 forward from 3pm to 1pm in a bid to tackle soaring energy prices in the UK.
UEFA are set to abandon plans to expand the European Championship to 32 teams in time for the 2028 competition, which is on course to be held in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Arsenal duo Oleksandr Zinchenko and Martin Odegaard should be fit for the North London Derby next weekend.
THE TIMES
The net is closing fast on two Gallagher Premiership clubs with Worcester Warriors resigned to being suspended from the league, as Wasps need to find £2m in 20 days.
DAILY MIRROR
There is a huge scramble among agents to sign up Arsenal record-breaker Ethan Nwaneri.
The signing of Lionel Messi has generated Paris Saint-Germain an extra €700m (£612m) in income due to commercial deals.
Former Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman has claimed he was blocked from signing ex-Liverpool star Georginio Wijnaldum.
Gerard Pique had a special clause in his Barcelona contract to ensure that he earned more money than Sergio Ramos.
THE INDEPENDENT
Manchester United’s football director John Murtough insists the level of spending seen this summer will not be repeated by the club after the wage bill hit record levels.
THE ATHLETIC
Everton and Scotland are waiting to discover the extent of Nathan Patterson’s injury after the defender was carried off on a stretcher while on international duty.
US Soccer is seeking to join the UEFA Working Group in supporting compensation for workers at the Qatar World Cup.
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