Serie A referees to announce VAR decisions live in stadiums and on TV

Serie A referees will start announcing VAR decisions directly to fans in stadiums and to TV audiences from next season. Referee chief Gianluca Rocchi announced to the Italian media on Tuesday. Rocchi described the change as an important step in improving communication between match officials and the public. He also noted that the goal is to make decisions faster and easier to understand. “We have a selected group of referees and we want to ensure their language is as consistent as possible so the public can clearly understand the calls,” Rocchi said. Similar initiatives, where referees explain their decisions to spectators, have also been tested in countries like England and Germany.

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Guardiola reveals injury setback for Manchester City star Rodri

The 29-year-old missed most of last season after tearing his ACL against Arsenal, a blow that coincided with City’s dip in form. He was forced off again in their 4-3 FIFA Club World Cup loss to Al-Hilal this summer and is still recovering. Speaking before City’s pre-season friendly with Palermo, Guardiola said Rodri is unlikely to return before September. “Rodri is getting better but he had a big injury in the last game against Al Hilal. Hopefully, after the international break, he will be really fit,” he explained. He added: “What is important is that he doesn’t have pain because we don’t want Rodri coming back injured. He has been training the last two sessions with us and that’s good.”

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Liverpool’s Wirtz named Germany’s Player of the Year

Liverpool midfielder Florian Wirtz has been voted Germany’s Player of the Year, adding to the 22-year-old’s growing reputation as one of the game’s top talents. Wirtz, signed from Bayer Leverkusen in June for a club-record £100m fee that could rise to £116m with add-ons, received 191 votes from German sports journalists. Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise finished second with 81 votes. The Germany international joined as part of Liverpool’s summer spending spree, which also brought in Hugo Ekitike  and Milos Kerkez, as the club look to retain the Premier League title. Former Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso, now in charge of Real Madrid, has called Wirtz “world class.” The midfielder has said his ambition is to “win everything every year” and to help Liverpool defend the league title while pushing further in the Champions League. Wirtz was central to Leverkusen’s unbeaten domestic campaign in 2023/24, winning the Bundesliga and German Cup before losing to Atalanta in the Europa League final. He was also named Bundesliga Player of the Year.

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Man City wrap up pre-season with win over Palermo

Manchester City ended their pre-season with a 3-0 victory against sister club Palermo in the first Anglo-Palermitan Trophy. Nearly 35,000 fans attended the match, which celebrated Palermo’s 125th anniversary. Pep Guardiola’s side dominated the contest, providing a strong test for Pippo Inzaghi’s team despite the gulf in quality. Palermo will begin their Coppa Italia campaign away to Cremonese next Saturday.

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Gyokeres scores first Arsenal goal in friendly win

Viktor Gyokeres marked his first appearance for Arsenal with a goal in their 3-0 pre-season victory over Athletic Club. The 27-year-old celebrated with his trademark mask gesture after converting a cross from fellow summer signing Martin Zubimendi. The Sweden international will hope it is the first of many as Arsenal look to end a five-year trophy drought. Mikel Arteta’s side begin their 2025/26 Premier League campaign away to Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United on August 17.

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Reijnders ready to play any role for Guardiola

Manchester City’s summer signing Tijjani Reijnders says he is prepared to take on any midfield role under Pep Guardiola following another injury setback for Rodri. The 27-year-old joined from AC Milan for a reported £46.6m to boost City’s midfield depth. Last season, City endured their worst campaign under Guardiola after Rodri suffered an ACL injury, and the Spaniard is now out again until at least September. “In the Club World Cup, I played three different midfield roles and I want to be able to perform in all of them,” Reijnders told reporters. “I’ll play wherever the manager wants me and give my best.” He said the squad have been focusing on ball possession, breaking down low blocks, and quick ball recovery in training. “We’ve got to know each other better and I can see he has a lot of qualities, which makes it easier for us midfielders to play alongside him,” he added.

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Salah criticises UEFA over tribute to Palestinian legend

Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has called out UEFA for omitting details about the death of former Palestine international Suleiman al-Obeid in its tribute post. Obeid, nicknamed the “Palestinian Pele,” died on Wednesday after being shot by Israeli forces in the southern Gaza Strip while people were waiting for humanitarian aid, according to the Palestinian Football Association (PFA). He was 41. UEFA posted on X: “Farewell to Suleiman al-Obeid, the ‘Palestinian Pele’. A talent who gave hope to countless children, even in the darkest of times.” In response, Salah wrote: “Can you tell us how he died, where, and why?” Obeid, born in Gaza City, was married with five children and made 24 appearances for the Palestinian national team.

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Ten Hag defends Ronaldo and criticises Man Utd

Former Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag says Cristiano Ronaldo was “never the problem” during their time together at Old Trafford. Ten Hag and Ronaldo, 40, were reported to have clashed before the forward left for Saudi club Al-Nassr. Ronaldo has since kept up his scoring form, netting a hat-trick in a 4-0 friendly win over Rio Ave. Speaking after Bayer Leverkusen’s 2-0 friendly defeat to Chelsea, Ten Hag said: “For me, it is no problem, he was never the problem. I think that’s the past, it is what happened, and after that we won two trophies at Manchester United, and I wish him all the best for the future.”

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West Ham sign Mads Hermansen on five-year deal

West Ham United have confirmed the signing of Danish international goalkeeper Mads Hermansen from Leicester City. The 25-year-old Hermansen joins the Hammers on a five-year contract with a one-year option. “I’m happy to join West Ham United”, said Hermansen, who will wear the No. 1 shirt. “I’ve felt that West Ham would be a good fit for me and my style of play for a long time. It feels natural to be here – it was a straightforward decision.  “The fans can expect me to be brave and bring good energy to help the team in the best way I can. This is a great step in my career. I have huge ambitions and I can’t wait to get started”, said Hermansen to the club website. Head Coach Graham Potter is happy to have beaten off competition from several leading clubs to secure Hermansen’s services, and is looking forward to adding him to his squad.

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Soccer Prediction Today: Philadelphia Union vs Toronto FC

Sunday’s MLS action sees Philadelphia Union host Toronto FC at Subaru Park in a matchup that heavily favors the home side. Read our preview for the Philadelphia Union vs Toronto FC. With FC Cincinnati breathing down their necks in the standings, the Union will be eager to take full advantage against a struggling Reds team. Betting Preview for Philadelphia Union vs Toronto FC Betting On Philadelphia Union The Union’s deep squad and strong conditioning often pay dividends late in matches. Philadelphia have dominated Toronto at this venue, keeping four clean sheets in their last five home meetings. That trend lines up perfectly with Toronto’s current attacking woes — the Reds haven’t scored more than once in a match since June and sit 12th in the Eastern Conference. Betting On Toronto FC The Union, meanwhile, remain unbeaten at home since March, combining defensive stability with late-game firepower that has seen them score 13 goals in the final 15 minutes this season. Toronto’s biggest weakness remains in the attack, with only D.C. United and Montreal scoring fewer goals in the East.  MatchPlug Prediction for Philadelphia vs Toronto FC Given Philadelphia’s home dominance, Toronto’s late-game struggles, and the series history of multi-goal margins, this is a spot where the hosts are strongly favored to cover the handicap. Expect the Union to apply pressure from the start and finish strong in the closing stages. Final Prediction: Philadelphia Union Moneyline

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