Joan Laporta Resigns as Barcelona President Ahead of March 15 Election

Joan Laporta Resigns as Barcelona President Ahead of March 15 Election

Joan Laporta has officially resigned as FC Barcelona president in line with club regulations, ahead of the upcoming presidential elections scheduled for March 15. Barcelona’s statutes require the sitting president to step down before elections, with a management commissionappointed to oversee the club’s daily operations during the interim period. Laporta, who returned to office in March 2021 after securing 54 per cent of the vote, exits the role after nearly five years in charge. Vice President Rafa Yuste will serve as acting president for the next three and a half months. The lawyer-turned-executive is seeking to reclaim the presidency at the polls and, if successful, would resume office on July 1. He is widely regarded as the front-runner, with long-time rival Victor Font expected to mount the strongest challenge. Other confirmed candidates include former club executive Xavier Vilajoana and economist Marc Ciria, who is contesting a Barcelona presidential election for the first time. Approximately 100,000 Barcelona members of legal age, each with at least one year of club membership, are eligible to vote in the election. Barcelona has also confirmed that voting will once again take place across multiple venues in an effort to boost turnout. Polling stations will be set up at the club’s facilities, in the Catalan provincial capitals of Girona, Tarragona, and Lleida, as well as Andorra la Vella. The club ruled out postal voting, despite appeals from opposition candidates. In a statement, Barcelona explained that postal voting was only allowed in the 2021 elections as an exceptional measure due to the Covid-19 pandemic. During that election, more than 20,000 of the 55,000 members who cast ballots did so by post.

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Ex-Tottenham midfielder, Dele Alli loses nearly £150,000 in late-night London poker betting

Ex-Tottenham Midfielder, Dele Alli Loses Nearly £150,000 in London poker Betting

Former England and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Dele Alli has reportedly endured a significant financial setback off the pitch after losing close to £150,000 in a series of late-night poker games at a central London casino. The 29-year-old, once regarded as one of England’s brightest football talents, is said to have been a regular presence at The Victoria Casino in London, where he reportedly took part in high-stakes poker sessions during the early hours of the morning. Reports suggest Alli lost around £25,000 per night, with cumulative losses running into six figures over a short period. A poker veteran who spoke to Daily Mail Sport claimed Alli has earned the nickname “whale” among casino regulars—a term used to describe players perceived as inexperienced but willing to wager and lose large sums of money. “We all look forward to Dele coming to the casino because snaring a whale is a serious player’s dream scenario,” the source said. According to the source, Alli’s arrival often sparks a rush among seasoned players to join his table. “As soon as he arrives, a message goes out that ‘The Dele is open for business,’ and there’s a rush to join his table. He’s been turning up almost every other day over the past two weeks, often playing for several hours and typically losing £25,000 each time.” Another poker player described the situation as troubling, suggesting the footballer appeared withdrawn and unhappy during the sessions. “It’s actually quite sad because he doesn’t really speak to anyone and doesn’t appear happy. He clearly isn’t short of money and doesn’t seem bothered by losing such amounts, which is great for us. Poker is a tough game—there’s no room for emotion. It’s all about strategy and winning as much as you can.” Despite the reported losses, Dele Alli is believed to have an estimated net worth of around £20 million.

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Mbappé Sends Bailiff to PSG Over €5.9m Unpaid Settlement

Mbappé Sends Bailiff to PSG Over €5.9m Unpaid Settlement

Kylian Mbappé has escalated his financial dispute with Paris Saint-Germain, sending a bailiff to the club to formally demand the outstanding €5.9 million owed to him by his former employers. The Ligue 1 giants had previously been ordered by a judge in December 2025 to pay Mbappé a total of €60.9 million, following a contractual settlement. While PSG have already paid €55 million, the remaining €5.9 million—relating to paid leave and accrued interest—is yet to be settled. The formal demand was issued on Friday, giving PSG an eight-day deadline to clear the balance. Should the club fail to comply within the stipulated period, Mbappé would be entitled to instruct his legal team to initiate court-ordered seizure of funds directly from PSG’s accounts. The latest development adds another chapter to the increasingly strained relationship between the French superstar and his former club, months after his high-profile departure from Paris. Away from the legal wrangling, Mbappé has also been dealing with frustration on the pitch following Real Madrid’s 4–2 Champions League defeat to Benfica, a result that complicated Los Blancos’ hopes of finishing in the competition’s top eight. Speaking after the loss, the France captain delivered a blunt assessment of his team’s performance, questioning their mentality rather than their quality. “It isn’t about quality, and it isn’t about tactics,” Mbappé said. “It’s about having more desire than your opponent. You could see everything was on the line for Benfica, and you couldn’t see that for us, and that’s a problem.” He added that Real’s inconsistency is becoming a worrying trend. “We aren’t being consistent in our play. A team of champions doesn’t do that. We can’t play well one day and not the next.” Mbappé also lamented Real Madrid’s failure to secure a top-eight finish, which would have reduced their Champions League workload. “We had a clear goal of finishing in the top eight to have two fewer games and lighten the load, but we started very poorly,” he said. “If they had gone into halftime 5–1 up, it wouldn’t have surprised anyone.” Real Madrid bounced back domestically with a 2–1 victory over Rayo Vallecano at the weekend, with Mbappé scoring a dramatic 100th-minute penalty to secure all three points. However, the forward admitted the Benfica defeat still “hurts,” as the club now faces additional playoff matches instead of a more relaxed February schedule. As Mbappé continues to push for the final portion of his settlement from PSG, both his legal battle off the pitch and leadership role at Real Madrid remain firmly in the spotlight.

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Arteta Apologises to Chelsea Boss Rosenior After Touchline Dispute

EPL: Arteta Apologises to Chelsea Boss Rosenior After Touchline Dispute

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has apologised to Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior following a pre-match disagreement over pitch encroachment ahead of their League Cup semi-final second leg on Tuesday, February 11. The incident occurred during the warm-up before kickoff, after members of Arsenal’s technical staff were seen entering Chelsea’s half of the pitch. Rosenior visibly objected, insisting they return to their designated area, and later voiced his frustration despite Arsenal’s 1–0 victory, which sealed a 4–2 aggregate win and booked their place in the final. Speaking after the match, Rosenior said he felt the situation disrupted Chelsea’s preparations and momentarily crossed a line of respect. “I’ve never asked my team or coaches to encroach on the opposition’s territory,” he said. “I didn’t think it was right where they were operating; it affected our warm-up. I asked them to stay in their half. I have a lot of respect for Mikel, but in that moment, I didn’t think that respect was shown to my team.” Addressing the issue ahead of Arsenal’s upcoming Premier League clash against Sunderland, Arteta acknowledged the complaint and offered an apology, stressing there was no intention to disrespect Chelsea. “It’s his opinion, and we respect everybody,” Arteta said. “If at any point one of the staff members did that, we apologise. It’s very common in football, especially with goalkeepers needing to kick long balls.” With the win, Arsenal progressed to the League Cup final, where they will face Manchester City on March 22. Arteta’s side now shifts focus back to the Premier League, holding a six-point lead at the top of the table ahead of a crucial away fixture against Liverpool. Despite growing title talk, Arteta remained cautious, insisting his attention is firmly on the next challenge. “We are far from that,” he said. “Sunderland have been on an incredible run all season. We know how complex the match will be. It’s another opportunity to win and improve our position.” Arsenal remain active in four competitions this season as they continue their push for a first major trophy since lifting the FA Cup in 2020.

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Leicester City

Leicester City Handed Six Point Deduction Over Financial Rule Breach

Former Premier League champions Leicester City have been hit with a six-point deduction after an independent commission found the club in breach of the EFL’s Profit and Sustainability (P&S) rules for the 2023/24 season. The sanction, recommended by the commission and approved by the EFL board on Thursday, sees the Foxes drop from 17th to 20th in the Championship standings, leaving them outside the relegation zone only on goal difference. Leicester are currently without a manager following the dismissal of Marti Cifuentes last month. The commission, appointed under Premier League regulations in May 2025, ruled that Leicester exceeded the permitted P&S threshold by £20.8 million across the three-year monitoring period ending in 2023/24. The case was initially examined after an arbitration tribunal determined that jurisdiction could shift between the EFL and Premier League following the club’s promotion back to the top flight in 2024. In addition to the overspend, the Foxes were also found to have breached Premier League rules by failing to submit their annual financial accounts when requested. Reacting to the decision, Leicester said in a statement that it was “disappointed” by the ruling and would consider its next steps. The club argued that the points deduction was disproportionate and failed to adequately account for the mitigating circumstances presented, warning of its potential impact on their sporting objectives this season. The ruling is separate from a previous case involving the 2022/23 season, where Leicester successfully avoided a points deduction after an appeal board ruled that the Premier League commission lacked jurisdiction, as the relevant accounting period extended beyond the club’s relegation from the top flight. Despite that earlier victory, Thursday’s decision leaves Leicester facing renewed pressure in the Championship as they battle to avoid relegation.

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I don’t think about winning Ballon d’Or award anymore– Lamine Yamal

I Don’t Think About Winning Ballon D’or Anymore – Lamine Yama’s

Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal has played down talk of individual honours, saying winning the Ballon d’Or is no longer a personal priority as he shifts his focus to collective success with both club and country. The Spanish international finished second in the 2025 Ballon d’Or rankings behind Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembélé, despite enjoying a highly successful season with Barcelona. Yamal helped the Catalan giants secure La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Supercopa de España. Speaking in an interview with Mundo Deportivo, the teenage star described individual awards as unpredictable, stressing that they are influenced by factors beyond a player’s control. “I don’t think about it,” Yamal said. “If you focus too much on an award like that, you won’t get any clear answers. It depends on what you win, how you perform and who is voting. It’s not decided by your performances alone.” Yamal explained that his main motivation now lies in enjoying football and contributing to team success rather than chasing personal recognition. “I just want to enjoy myself and win trophies with Barcelona and the national team,” he added. “My game isn’t about statistics. Sometimes I play well and don’t score, other times I score and don’t play as well. What matters to me is playing well, helping the team win and continuing on that path.”

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Saudi Pro League Warns Ronaldo Amid Al-Nassr Future Uncertainty

Saudi Pro League Warns Ronaldo Amid Al-Nassr Future Uncertainty

The Saudi Pro League has issued a firm response amid growing uncertainty surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo’s future at Al-Nassr, stressing that no single player has authority over league-wide decisions beyond their own club. The warning comes after the 41-year-old Portugal captain was left out of Al-Nassr’s squad for Monday’s league fixture against Al-Riyadh, fuelling speculation about internal tensions. Reports from Portuguese outlet A Bola claimed Ronaldo refused to play, citing frustration with how the club is being managed under Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF). Sources told BBC Sport that Ronaldo’s dissatisfaction was largely triggered by Karim Benzema’s high-profile switch from Al-Ittihad to league leaders Al-Hilal earlier this week. The former Real Madrid striker made an immediate impact, scoring a hat-trick on his debut in a 6–0 victory over Al-Okhdood. Both Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal are among the clubs backed by the PIF, which has also invested heavily in Newcastle United. However, the Saudi Pro League insists each club operates independently. In a statement to BBC Sport, a league spokesperson explained that recruitment, spending and strategic decisions are made solely by individual clubs within an approved financial framework designed to maintain balance and sustainability. While acknowledging Ronaldo’s influence since joining Al-Nassr in 2022, the league emphasised that even players of his stature do not dictate decisions outside their club. “Cristiano has been fully committed to Al-Nassr and has played a key role in its ambition,” the spokesperson said. “Like all elite competitors, he wants success — but no individual determines decisions beyond their own team.” Ronaldo later posted images of himself back in training, though officials remain uncertain whether he will feature in Friday’s clash against Al-Ittihad. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner, who earns a reported £177 million annually, signed a new two-year deal in June 2025 after earlier speculation linked him with a possible move to Al-Hilal. Despite his star power, Ronaldo has so far lifted only the Arab Club Champions Cup with Al-Nassr. Al-Hilal currently top the league with 50 points from 20 matches, while Al-Nassr sit third, four points adrift but with a game in hand.

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Chelsea Boss Rosenior Slams Arsenal Over “Disrespectful” Warm-Up Incident Before Carabao Cup Clash

Chelsea Boss Rosenior Slams Arsenal Over “Disrespectful” Warm-Up Incident Before Carabao Cup Clash

Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior has accused Arsenal of showing a lack of respect during the warm-up ahead of their Carabao Cup semi-final second-leg clash at the Emirates Stadium. Rosenior was visibly angry before kick-off and was caught on Sky Sports cameras confronting members of the Arsenal camp, shouting: “That’s your half – that’s your ******* half. ******* stay there.” Chelsea later exited the competition, losing 4–2 on aggregate. Broadcast footage showed a member of Arsenal’s coaching staff entering Chelsea’s half of the pitch during the warm-up, an action Rosenior admitted disrupted his team’s preparations. Speaking on Thursday via Sky Sports, the Chelsea boss clarified that his frustration was not aimed at Arsenal’s players but at what he described as a clear breach of football etiquette. “It wasn’t the players,” Rosenior said. “I’m respectful. When you warm up, you have your half and the other team has theirs. I’ve never asked my team or my coaches to encroach on the opposition’s territory.” He explained that Arsenal’s presence interfered with Chelsea’s routine. “In that moment, I didn’t think it was right where they were operating. They were affecting my lads’ and staff’s warm-up. I asked them, maybe not politely, to stay in their half.” Rosenior dismissed suggestions of mind games, insisting his reaction was purely about respect. “I’m not here for mind games. It’s just about what I think is right. There are certain etiquettes in football, and I always try to be as respectful as possible.” Despite the heated exchange, Rosenior played down any lingering issues with Arsenal and praised their manager, Mikel Arteta. “I don’t have any problem with anyone at Arsenal. They have a fantastic manager. Mikel Arteta is someone I have a lot of respect for.” He concluded by reiterating his stance: “It was just that, in that moment, I didn’t feel that respect was shown to my team.”

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